Diffraction of a shock wave by a compression corner. II - Single Mach reflection

The two-dimensional time-dependent Euler equations which govern the flow field resulting from the interaction of a planar shock with a compression corner are solved for initial conditions which result in single Mach reflection of the incident planar shock. The Euler equations are first transformed to include the self-similarity of the flow field. A second transformation is employed to normalize the distances between the ramp and the reflected shock and between the wall and the Mach stem. The resulting equations in strong conservation-law form are solved using a second-order discontinuity-fitting finite-difference approach. The results are compared with experimental interferograms and existing first-order shock-capturing numerical solutions.