On stability of strong and weak reflected shocks

A time-realistic adaptive unstructured Euler code is used to demonstrate th e numerical existence and investigate the stability of both weak and strong reflected shocks in regular reflection. For supersonic parallel flow in a channel, impinging on two symmetrical opposing wedges, the weak reflected c onfiguration is insensitive to downstream pressure disturbances and therefo re stable. The strong reflected shock configuration is unstable to positive perturbations in back-pressure and neutrally stable to negative perturbati ons. A unique Delta -shock structure provides the transition mechanism betw een weak and strong reflected shock configurations.