Analysis of shock-wave diffraction over double cylindrical wedges. Part II: Vorticity generation

The unsteady aspect of turbulent flow structures generated by a shock-wave diffraction over double cylindrical wedges, with initial diffracting angle of 75∘, are numerically investigated by means of two-dimensional high-fidelity numerical simulation. Different incident-shock-Mach numbers, ranging from transonic to supersonic regimes, are considered. Unlike previous studies where only the total vorticity production is evaluated, the current paper offers more insights into the spatio-temporal behavior of the circulation by evaluating the evolution of the instantaneous vorticity equation balance. The results show, for the first time, that the diffusion of the vorticity due to the viscous effects is quite important compared to the baroclinic term for low Mach numbers regimes, while this trend is inverted for higher Mach numbers regimes. It is also found that the stretching of the vorticity due to the compressibility effects plays an important role in the vorticity production. In terms of pressure impulses, the effect of the first concave surface on the shock strength has been quantified at both earlier and final stages of the shock diffraction process. Unlike the overpressure, the static and the dynamic pressure impulses are shown to be significantly reduced at the end of the first concave surface. •Vorticity generation in shock diffraction was investigated numerically.•Stretching of vorticity due to flow compressibility dominates the vorticity dynamics.•The effect of the first concave surface was investigated in terms of shock attenuation.