Mechanism of transverse structure formation in supersonic flow past a body

Direct numerical simulation within the framework of the Navier-Stokes equations is applied to study the mechanism of the generation of transverse structures (streamwise vortices) in the problem of supersonic M = 6 flow over a flat plate, when a shock wave is incident on it. The vortices formed at the lateral edges of the plate are shown to be the sources of streamwise streaky structures in the zone of separation of the boundary layer from the plate. Their interaction with the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices in the region of incidence of the shock on the plate leads to the formation of mushroom-shaped structures (streamwise vortices) similar with the azimuthal Λ-structures in subsonic jets. The plate width effect on the formation and turbulization of the mushroom-shaped structures is considered.