Simulation of the Development of Richtmyer–Meshkov Instability and Transition to Developed Turbulence

Abstract

A criterion for estimating the instant of transition from the stage of development of the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability to developed turbulence on rough contact interfaces of layered gas systems is proposed. A number of laboratory experiments are simulated. In the first series of experiments, the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability arises on two contact interfaces of a thin gas layer after passage of a shock wave. In the experiments, a thin layer (corrugated gas curtain) is formed by pumping a heavy gas (SF₆) through a nozzle block across an air-filled shock tube. In the second series of experiments, the shock wave passes across the contact interface of two gases of different densities (air-SF₆ and He-SF₆ layerings) perturbed along a sinusoid. In this series of experiments, the end face of the tube is either connected to the atmosphere or closed by a rigid wall. Development of the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability and transition to turbulent mixing are simulated using the implicit large eddy (ILES) method by means of the MIMOZA technique. A comparison with the available experimental information is made.