An example of hypersonic turbulent flow is numerically studied using Navier-Stokes equations, where the LES analysis includes the complicated effects of compressibility and chemical reactions of air. In a 2-dimensional finite-length channel, the counter-direction flows are introduced in the upper and lower portions, essentially generating a supersonic turbulent shear layer: The interactions are quite complicated due to the presence of shock waves, expansion waves, contact discontinuities, vortices, and endothermic dissociation reactions. It is found out that the flow patterns are changed by the aspect ratio of the channel and the incident Mach number. The resulting turbulent flows are entirely nonsteady and yet approximately periodical. The flowfields are not significantly altered by introducing an LES model; the phenomenon is primarily controlled by wave interactions.
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