Shock interaction with an inclined cylindrical density interface: viscous modeling results

We present the results of high-resolution implicit LES (ILES) modeling of a well-characterized experiment, where a laminar cylindrical jet of heavy gas (SF₆) is initially surrounded by lighter gas (air), and a planar shock passes through the volume, resulting in Richtmyer-Meshkov instability developing on the density interface. In turn, this leads to the development of secondary instabilities and transition to turbulence. The simulation resolves the flow features with greater resolution and fidelity than were attainable in earlier works, providing insights into the statistical properties of developing turbulence. This makes it possible to raise some fundamental questions such as how to define the Reynolds number for anisotropic decaying turbulence, where the flow is initially driven on different length scales in different directions. Scales and physical reasoning behind the Reynolds number choices will be discussed.