Three Dimensional Interactions In High Speed Boundary Layer Flows

The objective of this research is the basic theoretical investigation of three-dimensional pressure, skin friction, and heat transfer disturbances in both laminar and turbulent boundary layer flows including viscous-inviscid interaction effects, separation, and reattachment. A sound understanding of these phenomena is required in modern aerodynamic design analyses of high-speed flight vehicles. The primary emphasis in these studies has been to seek a basic physical understanding of the underlying fluid behavior by means of analytically-oriented methods; in this way, the results can be used to guide and interpret concurrent experimental and computationally-oriented investigations. This inquiry has focused on two parallel paths of investigation: three-dimensional, viscous-inviscid interaction phenomena within turbulent boundary layers in supersonic flow due to impinging swept shock and/or 3-D surface deflections, and streamwise vortex-disturbance mechanisms within laminar or turbulent boundary layers that are either separated or attached.