An experimental investigation of hypersonic swept shock boundary-layer interactions

The interaction of a sharp-fin-induced shock wave with a turbulent boundary layer was studied at Mach 8 using surface oil-dot flow visualization and surface pressure measurements. The interaction was shown to be separated and secondary separation was detected for the strongest cases studied. Although the inviscid shock wave was close to the fin, the interaction was spread over large angular extents. The interaction showed inception to conical symmetry at the highest shock strengths. Additionally, the surface pressure distribution showed an extensive plateau region, with no distinct dip associated with strongly separated interactions. Between the fin and the inviscid shock, the surface pressure rose rapidly but did not approach the downstream inviscid value.