A computational analysis of the unsteady phenomena associated with a hypersonic type IV shock interaction

This dissertation describes the unsteady behavior of a Mach 8 type IV shock interaction. The thin-layer approximation to the two dimensional Navier-Stokes equations, coupled with the total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme, is used to examine the shock interaction. Euler, laminar, and turbulent results are presented.; Parametric studies indicate that the peak pressure and supersonic jet position are sensitive to the impinging shock location. Small changes in the impinging shock location or shock strength can result in large changes in the peak pressure and jet impingement location.; The calculations also reveal that the unsteadiness associated with the type IV interaction is a strong function of the impinging shock location. The oscillatory motion of the peak pressure is also dependent on the strength of the impinging shock. The unsteadiness associated with the interaction is a combination of a high frequency oscillation carried on a low frequency transient.; One of two mechanisms were responsible for the unsteady behavior of the interaction. The first is associated with the transients and are related to the formation and shedding of shear layers within the shock layer and acoustical feedback between the distorted bow shock and the body. The second occurs when the impinging shock strikes the initial blunt body shock below the stagnation region, designated the type {dollar}rm IVsp+{dollar} interaction, resulting in an unsteady separation region.