Predictions of the Structure of Radiation-Resisted Shock Waves

Abstract

The continuum, inviscid-flow equations of gas dynamics are used to predict the effect of thermal radiation on the internal structure of a shock wave. Numerical solutions of the governing equations show that considerable variation in the nature of the temperature and velocity profiles occurs, depending on the magnitude of the over-all velocity change and the relative strengths of the radiative and convective energy fluxes. A unique feature of the work is the demonstration that, for a range of parametric values, discontinuities necessarily arise in the temperature and velocity profiles. The results include: (a) numerical integration of the basic equations for a representative range of parameters; (b) an analytic study of the equations by means of expansion procedures; (c) a study of the uniqueness of the solutions; (d) proof that previously published investigations cannot be generally applicable since they are restricted to continuous solutions; (e) prediction within a strong shock of a temperature maximum considerably larger than that corresponding to the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions.