A theoretical model based on a quasi-one-dimensional formulation is developed which allows determination of the shock stand-off distance at the stagnation point of blunt bodies in hypersonic non-equilibrium flows. Despite the simple ideal dissociating gas model implemented in the theoretical approach, it gives insight into the main physics governing the shock stand-off problem. More detailed and precise data are obtained by a numerical simulation where vibrational and chemical relaxation processes as well as their interactions are taken into account. The physical modelling of these processes is based on a kinetic approach and on a generalized Chapman–Enskog method of solving the Boltzmann equation. Explicit formulae for rate constants and vibrational energy consumption are derived and incorporated into the general conservation equations. Good agreement between theoretical, numerical and experimental results is achieved which ensures a reliable and mutual validation of the different methods.

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