Gas Dynamics &
Supersonic Flow


 
Compressible Flow
Equations of Motion
1-D Isentropic Relations
Wave Propagation
Flow through Nozzles and Ducts
2-D Compressible Flow
Prandtl-Meyer Expansion
Shock Interactions
Shock-Expansion Techniques for Aerofoils
Method of Characteristics
Unsteady Supersonic Flow
Flow Tables/Software

 

Images of Supersonic Flow

Supersonic flow can be visualised using a Schlieren optical system. This system highlights regions with high density gradients in the flow and will thus show shock waves and expansion waves. Images can be further enhanced by using digital picture edge detection methods or methods of enhancing intensity gradients.


Cone at Mach 1.7 (schlieren)
Cone at Mach 2.2 (schlieren)
Cone at Mach 3.0 (schlieren)

Cone at Mach 1.7
(digital enhanced)
Cone at Mach 2.2
(digital enhanced)
Cone at Mach 3.0
(digital enhanced)

Blunt Cone at Mach 2.2
(digital enhanced)
Blunt Cone Nose Close up
(digital enhanced)
Cylinder at Mach 2.2
(digital enhanced)

[Back to Flow through Nozzles and Ducts]