Shock-Wave–Vortex Interactions: Shock and Vortex Deformations, and Sound Production

In this paper we study the interaction of a shock wave with a cylindrical vortex. The objective of the study is to characterize the shock and vortex deformations and the mechanism of sound generation. The approach relies on the solution of the two-dimensional Euler equations by means of a high order finite volume weighted-ENO scheme. In order to provide some guidance into the analysis we have also developed an acoustic analogy of the problem by formulating a wave equation for the pressure disturbance that is solved analytically by means of Green's functions. A systematic study has been conducted by investigating the effects of vortex intensity and shock strength. Specifically, we have determined the dependence of shock distortion and vortex compression, and its subsequent nutation upon shock and vortex strengths. The acoustic field generated through shock--vortex interactions has been found to evolve in three stages and to exhibit a three sound quadrupolar directivity. In the early stages of the interaction the sound generated due to shock distortion shows a dipolar character, which then changes to a quadrupolar one due to a restoring mechanism that acts during the interaction of the shock with the rear part of the vortex. In the third stage secondary sounds are formed, which also show a quadrupolar directivity. The acoustic analogy applied to weak shock--vortex interactions also confirms the numerically predicted sound generation mechanism.