Numerical simulation of a three-dimensional shock wave-turbulent boundary layer interaction generated by a sharp fin at Mach 4

The three-dimensional inviscid-viscous interaction generated by the intersection of an oblique shock with a turbulent boundary layer is examined theoretically. An incoming Mach 4 equilibrium turbulent boundary layer at Reynolds number Re_δx = 2 × 10⁵ interacts with an oblique shock formed by a 16° sharp fin mounted normal to the flat plate. The theoretical model is the three-dimensional compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with turbulence incorporated through the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic eddy viscosity model. The governing equations are solved using the hybrid explicit-implicit algorithm of the author. Computed results for the surface skin friction, surface pressure and surface streamline angles are compared with experimental measurements and previous numerical results. The present results display good agreement with experiment, except in specific isolated regions, and show the closest agreement with experiment of all computations.