Evaluation of the Predictive Capability of a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Model Applied to Reshocked Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability

Reshocked Richtmyer--Meshkov turbulent mixing of sulfur hexafluoride and air for various Atwood numbers and shock Mach numbers is simulated using a third-order weighted essentially nonoscillatory implementation of a $K$-$\epsilon$ multicomponent Reynolds-averaged Navier--Stokes model. Mixing layer widths from simulations with Mach number $Ma = 1.45$ and Atwood number $At = -0.67$ are compared to the experimental data of Poggi, Thorembey and Rodriguez, and widths from simulations with $Ma = 1.24$, $1.50$, and $1.98$ with $At = 0.67$ are compared to the experimental data of Vetter and Sturtevant. The sensitivity of the mixing layer widths to variations in the initial conditions and key model coefficients is considered. Budgets of the turbulent transport equations are also considered to further elucidate the mechanisms contributing to turbulent mixing in reshocked Richtmyer--Meshkov instability experiments.