This study examines the interaction of a Mach 8.3 turbulent boundary l
ayer with intersecting oblique shock waves generated by 15-deg sharp f
ins mounted symmetrically on a flat plate. The full three-dimensional
mass-averaged compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved with a h
igh-resolution implicit finite-volume scheme. Turbulence closure is ac
hieved with variations of the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model. Excellent
agreement with experimental data is observed for plate surface pressu
re. However, accurate heat transfer rates are obtained only near the p
lane of symmetry. Some quantitative details are dependent on the manne
r in which the turbulence model is implemented, Within this limitation
, the overall computed mean flow structure remains similar and mesh in
dependent and compares well with available field surveys. The incoming
flat plate boundary layer separates along the entire spanwise width a
nd does not reattach in the domain of computation. Beneath the separat
ed boundary layer are a vortex interaction with an off-surface stagnat
ion point, a centerline longitudinal vortex, and an entrainment flow o
riginating from the essentially inviscid stream near the fin leading e
dge.