Experimental work has been carried out to study the unsteady flow-field
characteristics related to shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction. Tests were
carried out on an axisymmetric configuration that has a semi-cone angle of
35° and a flare angle of 20°. Further influence of low γ gases
(CO2 and CF4) on the overall
interaction process is also investigated. Both surface and
off-surface analysis has been carried out.
Off-surface study has been made with a
laser schlieren system. The purpose of this
study was to investigate the source of the unsteadiness related to such
interactions. Two types of shock motions, namely, flapping and rippling
could be identified for air, the relative importance of each of which is
strongly dependent on the location within the interaction and on the type of
test gas. Spectral analysis shows the large-scale motion of the separation
bubble to be the main source of high amplitude fluctuations. However, the
existence of separation bubble itself does not necessarily indicate the
prevalence of unsteady flow conditions.