Two-Dimensional Bow Shock Wave Detachment Distances

Abstract

In the recent paper by Warren a summary was made of current data on two-dimensional bow shock wave detachment distances. It was shown that the experimental results of Griffith and Alperin, as well as the detachment distances computed by Vincenti and Wagoner, could be collapsed into a single curve by using Spreiter's Transonic Similarity Parameter. This has been confirmed by the present authors who have found that the experimental results for wedges obtained by Bryson also correlate favourably with the curve given by Warren (Fig. 3 of Ref. 4).The results of the foregoing workers have been for steady flow conditions. However, it has been noted by Lilleyet aliathat a steady shock wave pattern can be established in free flight only after steady motion has been maintained for a considerable (infinite) time. In general, the locus of detached bow shock waves depends on the time history of the motion whenever a body is accelerated from subsonic speed.