Effects of Reynolds Number on Swept Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions

The current experimental investigation explores the viscous/inviscid interaction of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer and a sharp fin-generated shock wave. The study examines the effect of Reynolds numbers on the fin-generated shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions (SBLIs) and the practical limits imposed on such scaling due to different test facilities. The present study involves a parametric variation of the incomingMachnumber, fin angle of attack, and a wide range of unit Reynolds numbers in combination with advanced flowfield diagnostics. The results indicate that the interaction footprint is distinctly affected by the Reynolds number, though the effects are more prominent near the fin/surface junction and the outer edges of the interaction region. The results suggest that the effect of the Reynolds number on the SBLI is significantly reduced at higher Reynolds numbers. This sensitivity to Reynolds number is a function of the fin angle of incidence and freestream Mach number, with weaker strength interactions being more receptive to Reynolds number variation. Identical measurements carried out in facilities of different size compare favorably throughout the interaction region with Reynolds-based scaling; however, incoming boundary-layer thickness imposes limitations on the extent of the inception region and the onset of finite fin effects.