Sharp-fin induced shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions in an axisymmetric configuration

Interactions between an oblique shock wave generated by a sharp fin placed on a cylindrical surface and the incoming boundary layer are studied to unravel the flow features that govern the pressure field in munitions at zero incidence. Complimentary experimental and computational studies are presented to delineate both the surface and off-body flow structures and to present a detailed understanding of the downstream evolution of separated flow. Comparison of surface streakline data between fins mounted on the cylindrical surface and on a flat plate revealed that both situations resulted in identical regimes of primary/secondary separation and reattachment with almost identical shock angle close to fin leading edge. The 3-D relieving effects were evident at more downstream distances where the planar laser scattering visualizations and computational studies showed the weakening of the separated shock with downstream distance.