Shock wave/boundary layer interactions occur in a wide range of supersonic internal and external flows, and often these interactions are associated with turbulent boundary layer separation. The resulting separated flow is associated with large-scale, low-frequency unsteadiness whose cause has been the subject of much attention and debate. In particular, some researchers have concluded that the source of low-frequency motions is in the upstream boundary layer, whereas others have argued for a downstream instability as the driving mechanism. Owing to substantial recent activity, we are close to developing a comprehensive understanding, albeit only in simplified flow configurations. A plausible model is that the interaction responds as a dynamical system that is forced by external disturbances. The low-frequency dynamics seem to be adequately described by a recently proposed shear layer entrainment-recharge mechanism. Upstream boundary layer fluctuations seem to be an important source of disturbances, but the evidence suggests that their impact is reduced with increasing size of the separated flow.

Low-Frequency Unsteadiness of Shock Wave/Turbulent Boundary Layer Interactions

Unsteadiness in shock wave boundary layer interactions with separation

The interaction of an oblique shock wave impinging on a turbulent boundary layer at Mach number 2.3 is experimentally investigated for a wide range of shock intensities. Characteristic time and length scales of the unsteady reflected shock and inside the downstream interaction region are obtained and compared with already existing results obtained in compression ramp experiments as well as in subsonic detached flows. Dimensionless characteristic frequencies are highlighted to characterize low-frequency shock unsteadiness as well as the different large scales which develop inside the initial part of the interaction. The possibility of describing the spatial development of the large scales inside the interaction zone using a mixing-layer scheme including compressibility effects is tested for a wide range of Mach numbers, shock intensities and geometrical configurations. Moreover, strong evidence of a statistical link between low-frequency shock movements and the downstream interaction is given. Finally, the downstream evolution of the structures shed into the boundary layer is characterized and shows features specific of our configuration.

Space and time organization in a shock-induced separated boundary layer

Aeroelastic energy harvesting: A review

Buffeting flow on transonic aerofoils serves as a model problem for the more complex three-dimensional flows responsible for aeroplane buffet. The origins of transonic aerofoil buffet are linked to a global instability, which leads to shock oscillations and dramatic lift fluctuations. The problem is analysed using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, which for the foreseeable future are a necessary approximation to cover the high Reynolds numbers at which transonic buffet occurs. These equations have been shown to reproduce the key physics of transonic aerofoil flows. Results from global-stability analysis are shown to be in good agreement with experiments and numerical simulations. The stability boundary, as a function of the Mach number and angle of attack, consists of an upper and a lower branch – the lower branch shows features consistent with a supercritical bifurcation. The unstable modes provide insight into the basic character of buffeting flow at near-critical conditions and are consistent with fully nonlinear simulations. The results provide further evidence linking the transonic buffet onset to a global instability.

B.H.K. Lee

Papers

Nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of airfoils : bifurcation and chaos

Self-sustained shock oscillations on airfoils at transonic speeds

Vertical tail buffeting of fighter aircraft

Statistical analysis of wing/fin buffeting response