Reynolds Stress Amplification in Shock Boundary Layer Interactions

Presenter: Peter Gioia, Mechanical Engineering

Authors: P. Gioia, D. Tafti

Abstract: The understanding of shock boundary layer interactions (SBLIs) plays a critical role in the design of high-speed aerospace systems. SBLIs have various adverse effects on the performance of these systems, including an increase in wall heat flux, stagnation pressure losses, and unsteady structural loads. Current Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models have difficulties in predicting all relevant quantities, and are inherently unable to capture unsteady effects. The strong adverse pressure gradients found in these interactions can lead to shock-induced boundary layer separation and the formation of a separated shear layer. This not only affects the state of the boundary layer but also amplifies and redistributes Reynolds stresses from their equilibrium state. Existing literature from LES and direct numerical simulation (DNS) on Reynolds stress budgets in SBLIs is extremely limited. This work aims to use wall-resolved LES to augment current research by exploring key mechanisms that alter the budgets of Reynolds stresses. The current simulations are first verified against existing boundary layer data before examining the non-equilibrium effects produced by a near-normal SBLI. This work will aid in the understanding of SBLIs and help to inform future turbulence modeling efforts.