A study of shock wave interaction with a rotating cylinder

Abstract

Shock wave reflection over a rotating circular cylinder is numerically and experimentally investigated. It is shown that the transition from the regular reflection to the Mach reflection is promoted on the cylinder surface which rotates in the same direction of the incident shock motion, whereas it is retarded on the surface that rotates to the reverse direction. Numerical calculations solving the Navier-Stokes equations using extremely fine grids also reveal that the reflected shock transition from RR⇒MR is either advanced or retarded depending on whether or not the surface motion favors the incident shock wave. The interpretation of viscous effects on the reflected shock transition is given by the dimensional analysis and from the viewpoint of signal propagation.