A Computational Study of a Pulse Laser Energy Deposition on an 8.4 Degree Wedge, 10 Degree Ramp

Energy deposition has long been a popular technique to help improve aerodynamic efficiency particularly in minimizing flow separation and increasing drag reduction. In addition to this, it also has the potential to minimize negative flow features such as local peaks in pressure as well as heating loads. Presented here is a discussion on energy deposition in a hypersonic flow on an 8.4 Degree Wedge, 10 Degree Ramp. This paper compares experiment, computation, and blast wave theory by analyzing the over pressure ratio (Δp/p₀) versus increasing energy per unit length. A secondary analysis examines pressure versus time and flow field visualizations to assess whether the computational model can capture blast wave phenomena. Finally, the paper highlights the similarities and differences among experiment vs. computation, computation vs. theory, and experiment vs. theory. Overall, this investigation finds that computation is able to visually showcase proper blast wave characteristics as ambient pressure is varied. Additionally, computation is able to match both experiment and theory at low energy levels in terms of peak overpressure magnitude and shape. Though divergences in magnitude occur at higher energies and ambient pressures between computation and theory, the general trend remains consistent with blast wave behavior.