The Effect of Pressure Gradients on Transition Zone Length in Hypersonic Boundary Layers

Abstract

Boundary layer transition was measured in zero, favorable, and adverse pressure gradients at Mach 8 using heat transfer. Models consisted of 7° half angle forecones 0.4826 m long, followed by flared or ogive aft bodies 0.5334 m long. The flares and ogives produced constant pressure gradients. For the cases examined, favorable pressure gradients delay transition and adverse pressure gradients promote transition, but transition zone lengths are shorter in favorable pressure gradient. Results of the effect of adverse pressure gradient on transition zone lengths were inconclusive.