COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF THE FLOWFIELDS ASSOCIATED WITH OBLIQUE SHOCK VORTEX INTERACTIONS/

The interaction between a supersonic streamwise vortex and an oblique shock is solved numerically using the unsteady, three-dimensional Eule r equations. The parametric study ascertains the effects of vortex str ength, streamwise velocity deficit, and Mach number on the oblique sho ck/vortex interaction. The vortex, whose tangential and streamwise vel ocities are analytically modeled, is introduced upstream of the shock and allowed to interact with the shock, The interaction is examined at freestream Mach numbers of 3 and 5, using vortices of varying strengt h and possessing various velocity deficits. Three distinct types of in teractions-weak, moderate, and strong-are observed, depending very str ongly on the streamwise velocity deficit and, to a lesser degree, on t he strength of the vortex, The weak interaction is characterized by a slight distortion of the shock and vortex with the resulting flowfield being supersonic everywhere. The moderate interaction, however, resul ts in a more pronounced distortion of the shock, creating a small pock et of subsonic flow downstream of the interaction,In addition, the inc ident vortex is highly distorted by the shock and eventually splits up into two counter-rotating vortices. In the strong interaction, due to the formation of a large subsonic region, a dramatic reorganization o f the original shock occurs, accompanied by a region of reversed subso nic flow, a stagnation point, and a drastic expansion of the vortex co re, all of which are characteristics of vortex breakdown.