Blunt Body Theory for Hypersonic Flow

Abstract

A systematic analysis of Newtonian flow past an axi-symmetrical blunt body is developed by expanding various physical quantities in power series of λ = (γ-l)/(γ+l), where γ stands for the ratio of specific heats of a gas. Some general results such as stand-off distance, pressure distribution along the axis of symmetry are given, provided that the shock is detached and has finite curvature at its nose. More extensive calculations are made for the flow past a flat-faced disc and power-law bodies.