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At least 91 records · Page 5

Reynolds number effects on shock-wave turbulent boundary-layer interactions - A comparison of numerical and experimental results

An experiment is described that tests and guides computations of a shock-wave turbulent boundary-layer interaction flow over a 20-deg compression corner at Mach 2.85. Numerical solutions of the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for the entire flow field, employing various turbulence models, are compared with the data. Each model is critically evaluated by comparisons with the details of the experimental data. Experimental results for the extent of upstream pressure influence and separation location are compared with numerical predictions for a wide range of Reynolds numbers and shock-wave strengths.

Horstman, C. C.

A Numerical Investigation of the Burnett Equations Based on the Second Law

The Burnett equations have been shown to potentially violate the second law of thermodynamics. The objective of this investigation is to correlate the numerical problems experienced by the Burnett equations to the negative production of entropy. The equations have had a long history of numerical instability to small wavelength disturbances. Recently, Zhong corrected the instability problem and made solutions attainable for one dimensional shock waves and hypersonic blunt bodies. Difficulties still exist when attempting to solve hypersonic flat plate boundary layers and blunt body wake flows, however. Numerical experiments will include one-dimensional shock waves, quasi-one dimensional nozzles, and expanding Prandlt-Meyer flows and specifically examine the entropy production for these cases.

Comeaux, Keith A.

Predicted and experimental steady and unsteady transonic flows about a biconvex airfoil

Results of computer code time dependent solutions of the two dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations and the results of independent experiments are compared to verify the Mach number range for instabilities in the transonic flow field about a 14 percent thick biconvex airfoil at an angle of attack of 0 deg and a Reynolds number of 7 million. The experiments were conducted in a transonic, slotted wall wind tunnel. The computer code included an algebraic eddy viscosity turbulence model developed for steady flows, and all computations were made using free flight boundary conditions. All of the features documented experimentally for both steady and unsteady flows were predicted qualitatively; even with the above simplifications, the predictions were, on the whole, in good quantitative agreement with experiment. In particular, predicted time histories of shock wave position, surface pressures, lift, and pitching moment were found to be in very good agreement with experiment for an unsteady flow. Depending upon the free stream Mach number for steady flows, the surface pressure downstream of the shock wave or the shock wave location was not well predicted.

Levy, L. L., Jr.

RANS Modeling of Benchmark Shockwave / Boundary Layer Interaction Experiments

This presentation summarizes the computations of a set of shock wave / turbulent boundary layer interaction (SWTBLI) test cases using the Wind-US code, as part of the 2010 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) shock / boundary layer interaction workshop. The experiments involve supersonic flows in wind tunnels with a shock generator that directs an oblique shock wave toward the boundary layer along one of the walls of the wind tunnel. The Wind-US calculations utilized structured grid computations performed in Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes mode. Three turbulence models were investigated: the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model, the Menter Shear Stress Transport wavenumber-angular frequency two-equation model, and an explicit algebraic stress wavenumber-angular frequency formulation. Effects of grid resolution and upwinding scheme were also considered. The results from the CFD calculations are compared to particle image velocimetry (PIV) data from the experiments. As expected, turbulence model effects dominated the accuracy of the solutions with upwinding scheme selection indicating minimal effects.!

Georgiadis, Nick

An experimental and numerical investigation of shock wave induced turbulent boundary layer separation at hypersonic speeds

A thoroughly documented experiment is reported that was specifically designed to test and guide computations of the interaction of an impinging shock wave with a turbulent boundary layer. Detailed mean flow field and surface data are presented for two shock strengths which resulted in attached and separated flows, respectively. Numerical computations are used to illustrate the dependence of the computations on the particulars of the turbulence models. Models appropriate for zero pressure gradient flows predicted the overall features of the flow fields, but were deficient in predicting many of the details of the interaction regions. Improvements to the turbulence model parameters were sought through a combination of detailed data analysis and computer simulations which tested the sensitivity of the solutions to model parameter changes. Computer simulations using these improvements are presented and discussed.

Marvin, J. G.

Production of organic compounds in plasmas: A comparison among electric sparks, laser-induced plasmas and UV light

In order to study the production of organic compounds in plasmas (and shocks), various mixtures of N2, CH4, and H2, modeling the atmosphere of Titan, were exposed to discrete sparks, laser-induced plasmas (LIP) and ultraviolet light. The yields of HCN and simple hydrocarbons were measured and compared to those calculated from a simple quenched thermodynamic equilibrium model. The agreement between experiment and theory was fair for HCN and C2H2. However, the yields of C2H6 and other hydrocarbons were much higher than those predicted by the model. Our experiments suggest that photolysis by ultraviolet light from the plasma is an important process in the synthesis. This was confirmed by the photolysis of gas samples exposed to the light, but not to the plasma or shock waves. The results of these experiments demonstrate that, in addition to the well-known efficient synthesis of organic compounds in plasmas, the yields of saturated species, e.g., ethane, may be higher than predicted by theory and that LIP provide a convenient and clean way of simulating planetary lightning and impact plasmas in the laboratory.

Scattergood, T. W.

Multi-Point Line Focused Laser Differential Interferometer for High-Speed Flow Fluctuation Measurements

A multi-point focused laser differential interferometer (FLDI) has been developed to measure density fluctuations at 16 points along a line. A pair of cylindrical lenses on the transmitter side of a conventional single-point FLDI instrument form two closely spaced (≤200 μm), orthogonally polarized, parallel laser lines at the instrument’s focus. On the receiver side of the instrument, the interference of the beams on a 16-element photodiode array results in a single line of measurements. The further addition of a Nomarski prism creates two separate measurement lines, and the addition of a second photodiode array to the instrument enables simultaneous measurements of density fluctuations along the two lines separated by several millimeters. These two lines of measurement can be conveniently oriented at any azimuthal angle relative to the instrument’s optical axis on the measurement plane, coinciding with the instrument’s focus. Two experiments were performed to demonstrate the capabilities of the instrument. In the first experiment, a laser-induced breakdown spark generated a traveling spherical shock wave, and measurements of the resulting density disturbance and wave velocity were obtained. These results were compared to high-speed schlieren images of the shock wave acquired at 400 kHz. In the second experiment, the multi-point FLDI instrument was used to measure density disturbances in the boundary layer of a flat plate in a Mach 6 freestream flow. The measurements were made along two lines, both approximately 6 mm in length, extending from the surface of the plate through the boundary layer. High-speed schlieren images were acquired at 100 kHz during separate wind tunnel runs at matching unit Reynolds numbers to visualize the unsteady boundary layer flow and compare to the FLDI measurements.

Laser beam shaping

Some observations on mesh refinement schemes applied to shock wave phenomena

This workshop's double-wedge test problem is taken from one of a sequence of experiments which were performed in order to classify the various canonical interactions between a planar shock wave and a double wedge. Therefore to build up a reasonably broad picture of the performance of our mesh refinement algorithm we have simulated three of these experiments and not just the workshop case. Here, using the results from these simulations together with their experimental counterparts, we make some general observations concerning the development of mesh refinement schemes for shock wave phenomena.

Quirk, James J.

Transition in compressible free shear layers.

The transition Reynolds number for shear layers produced by interactions between weak and strong shock waves is determined on the basis of experiments performed in a 20-in. (Mach 6) and an 11-in. (Mach 6.9) hypersonic tunnel. A variable angle wedge was used to generate a planar shock wave which interacted with the bow wave of a blunt body. An average value of the transition length (defined as the length along the shear layer from the shock interaction to the point where turbulence became visible on schlieren photographs) was used to determine the transition Reynolds number.

Birch, S. F.

Radiation modeling with direct simulation Monte Carlo

Improvements in the modeling of radiation in low density shock waves with direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) are the subject of this study. A new scheme to determine the relaxation collision numbers for excitation of electronic states is proposed. This scheme attempts to move the DSMC programs toward a more detailed modeling of the physics and more reliance on available experimental data. The new method is compared with the current modeling technique and both techniques are compared with available data. The differences in the results are evaluated. The test case is based on an AVCO-Everett shock tube experiment, a 10-km/s standing shock wave in air at 0.1 Torr. The new method agrees with the available data as well as the results from the earlier scheme and is more easily extrapolated to different flow conditions.

Carlson, Ann B.

Dynamic compression and spallation behavior of NbTaTiVZr high-entropy alloy

High-entropy alloys are a new class of materials with promising properties for aerospace and defense applications. The unique behavior of these materials is driven by the complex interactions between dissimilar atoms in a crystal and requires combined theoretical and experimental efforts to unlock their full potential. Here, we evaluate the relationship between the microstructure and the dynamic response of the equiatomic NbTaTiVZr alloy. Specifically, the shock Hugoniot, or equation of state, was measured up to a particle velocity of 0.5 mm μs −1 using gas gun plate impacts. Shock wave profile and incipient spallation experiments were used to characterize wave propagation and damage formation with post-mortem recovery experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the experimental findings and extend them up to 2.1 mm μs −1 particle velocity. Computational thermodynamic calculation of phase diagram simulations explain details of the material microstructure, which explains the measured strength and experimental damage patterns. Overall, this work provides detailed high-strain-rate characterization of a refractory high-entropy alloy, and more importantly, a framework and demonstration of the utility and necessity of a combined theoretical and experimental approach, outlining the importance of considering processing and manufacturing conditions when evaluating the performance of new materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

Hydrostatic compression of Fe(1-x)O wuestite

Hydrostatic compression measurements on Fe(0.95)O wuestite up to 12 GPa yield a room temperature value for the isothermal bulk modulus of K(ot) = 157 (+ or - 10) GPa at zero pressure. This result is in accord with previous hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic measurements of K(ot) for wuestites of composition: 0.89 = Fe/O 0.95. Dynamic measurements of the bulk modulus by ultrasonic, shock-wave and neutron-scattering experiments tend to yield a larger value: K(ot) approximately 180 GPa. The discrepancy between static and dynamic values cannot be explained by the variation of K(ot) with composition, as has been proposed. This conclusion is based on high-precision compression data and on theoretical models of the effects of defects on elastic constants. Barring serious errors in the published measurements, the available data suggest that wuestite exhibits a volume relaxation under pressure.

Jeanloz, R.

A review of detailed comparisons between experiments and DSMC calculations in nonequilibrium flows

Results are reviewed from several sources on a detailed validation by experiment of the DSMC technique for the prediction of nonequilibrium flows of monatomic gases. The validation is used as a basis for using the DSMC technique to conduct numerical experiments in low Mach number shock waves to investigate the Mach number limits on the applicability of the Navier-Stokes equations. It is noted that sufficient data exist to undertake a similar, initial validation of nonequilibrium flows of nitrogen to study details of rotational energy transfer.

Erwin, D. A.

An analysis of whistler waves at interplanetary shocks

We present an analysis of whistler wave magnetic and electric field amplitude ratios from which we compute wave propagation angles and energies of electrons in resonance with the waves. To do this analysis, we compute the theoretical dependence of ratios of wave components on the whistler wave propagation angle Theta for various combinations of orthogonal wave components. Ratios of wave components that would be observed by a spinning spacecraft are determined, and the effects of arbitrary inclinations of the spacecraft to the ambient magnetic field and to the whistler wave vector are studied. This analysis clearly demonstrates that B/E, the ratio of magnetic to electric field amplitudes, cannot be assumed to be the wave index of refraction, contrary to assumptions of some earlier studies. Therefore previous interpretations of whistler wave observations based on this assumption must be reinvestigated. B/E ratios derived using three orthogonal wave components can be used to unambiguously determine Theta. Using spin plane observations alone, a significant uncertainty occurs in the determination of Theta. Nevertheless, for whistler waves observed downstream of several interplanetary shocks by the Ulysses plasma wave experiment we find that Theta is highly oblique. We suggest that the analysis of wave amplitude ratios used in conjunction with traditional stability analyses provide a promising tool for determining which particle distributions and resonances are likely to be dominant contributors to wave growth.

Lengyel-Frey, D.

Experimental study of shock-wave reflection from a thermally accommodating wall.

Shock-tube experiments have been conducted to study the nonequilibrium gas-surface interaction which occurs when a thick shock wave in argon reflects from a coplanar, heat-conducting wall. Fast-response instrumentation was used to monitor variations in temperature and normal stress on the surface of the shock-tube end wall during and immediately following reflection of the incident shock wave. The laboratory observations are compared with computer predictions obtained by Deiwert using the direct-simulation Monte Carlo method, and excellent agreement is obtained when a suitable average thermal accommodation coefficient is chosen for the wall surface.

Hanson, R. K.

Experimental Investigation of Unsteady Shock Wave Turbulent Boundary Layer Interactions About a Blunt Fin

A series of experiments were performed to investigate the effects of Mach number variation on the characteristics of the unsteady shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction generated by a blunt fin. A single blunt fin hemicylindrical leading edge diameter size was used in all of the experiments which covered the Mach number range from 2.0 to 5.0. The measurements in this investigation included surface flow visualization, static and dynamic pressure measurements, both on centerline and off-centerline of the blunt fin axis. Surface flow visualization and static pressure measurements showed that the spatial extent of the shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction increased with increasing Mach number. The maximum static pressure, normalized by the incoming static pressure, measured at the peak location in the separated flow region ahead of the blunt fin was found to increase with increasing Mach number. The mean and standard deviations of the fluctuating pressure signals from the dynamic pressure transducers were found to collapse to self-similar distributions as a function of the distance perpendicular to the separation line. The standard deviation of the pressure signals showed initial peaked distribution, with the maximum standard deviation point corresponding to the location of the separation line at Mach number 3.0 to 5.0. At Mach 2.0 the maximum standard deviation point was found to occur significantly upstream of the separation line. The intermittency distributions of the separation shock wave motion were found to be self-similar profiles for all Mach numbers. The intermittent region length was found to increase with Mach number and decrease with interaction sweepback angle. For Mach numbers 3.0 to 5.0 the separation line was found to correspond to high intermittencies or equivalently to the downstream locus of the separation shock wave motion. The Mach 2.0 tests, however, showed that the intermittent region occurs significantly upstream of the separation line. Power spectral densities measured in the intermittent regions were found to have self-similar frequency distributions when compared as functions of a Strouhal number for all Mach numbers and interaction sweepback angles. The maximum zero-crossing frequencies were found to correspond with the peak frequencies in the power spectra measured in the intermittent region.

Barnhart, Paul J.