Analysis of second moments and their budgets for Richtmyer-Meshkov instability and variable-density turbulence induced by reshock

Abstract

A Mach 1.45 shock and subsequent reshock interacting with a high Atwood number interface between sulfur hexafluoride and air is studied with an adaptive mesh simulation with more than 4.5 billion cells. Mechanisms governing the variable-density flow after the shocks' interactions with the interface are analyzed with transport equations. The figure shows the mole fraction fields in the numerical shock tube around the interface just before (left) and after (right) the reshock. Red and blue colors represent heavier and lighter fluids, respectively. The reshock deposits baroclinic vorticity at both large and small scales and thus rapid breakdown to fully developed turbulence ensues.

Topics & Concepts