Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 March 2006
The supersonic flow field outside a leading edge separation bubble has been computed in detail by a special application of the method of characteristics. Experimental observations on a two-dimensional square-nosed flat plate at M = 1·96 formed the initial data, and base points were established on the plate surface. Computations proceeded outwards and upstream to the sonic line and bow wave, the bow wave entropy gradient being taken into account. The shape of the sonic line was found to be very sensitive to the conditions along the plate surface. Streamlines and iso-Mach lines have been interpolated and are presented. Good agreement was found at the intersection of the network and the bow wave between computed values and those given directly by the shock wave equations. A comparison has been made with interferometric results from France.