Nonstationary shock reflection over nonstraight surfaces: an approach with a method of multiple steps

Abstract.

Shock reflection phenomena over nonstraight surfaces have been investigated. The models used in this experiment are ordinary circular cylindrical concave and convex wedges and step-like wedges which simulate the former. The step-like wedges were used to investigate the process of reflected-wave formation over circular cylindrical wedges (method of multiple steps). The reflected-wave structure has been photographed with a schlieren apparatus. The formation of the reflected wave over circular cylindrical wedges is physically well understood by comparing it with shock reflection over step-like wedges. In particular, the reason why the reflected wave over a concave circular cylindrical wedge is very weak away from the reflection point is elucidated. Moreover, the structure and the formation mechanism of the so-called transitioned regular reflection (TRR) are illustrated in detail. As a by-product, based on acoustic theory, analytical formulae for the transition wedge angle are found. They are in good agreement with experiments.