1

OBLIQUE SHOCK RELATIONS

Carlos M, Pablo M, ferney C.
Fundación Universitaria Los Libertadores
chmartinezh04@libertadores.edu.co
facaicedod@libertadores.edu.co
pdmorenoc@libertadores.edu.co

Abstract
The main objective of this report is to present in a simple way oblique shock waves, this by means of theory
and graphs, which will be determined by a study at the angle of the Mach wave (β), with a previously given
Mach number and deflection angle (θ).

an orthogonal direction to that of oblique shock like a normal

I. INTRODUCTION shock.
A shock wave is a typical aerodynamic phenomenon in a
supersonic flow, and if controlled effectively, a series of II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
potential applications can be achieved in aerospace fields, Oblique Shock Wave Figure 2 depicts a large compression
such as reducing wave drag and sonic boom of the supersonic deflection and clearly demonstrates why this is different
vehicle and optimizing shock waves of the supersonic. from a large expansion deflection. The Mach waves from a
gradual compression deflection will intersect forming a
Andersson tells us that not all shock waves are normal
(perpendicular to the flow direction). For example, when a
space shuttle travels at supersonic speeds through the
atmosphere, it produces a complicated collision pattern
consisting of inclined shock waves called oblique shock
waves (Fig. 12-36). As can be seen, some parts of the oblique
shock waves are curved, while others are straight.

Fig 2.: Supersonic flow performing a large compressive

deflection, θ

caustic across which the changes in the velocity, Mach

number, pressure, temperature and density are no longer
small. This caustic structure is an oblique shock wave and
Fig 1. when the flow is viewed from a perspective far from the
deflection, this oblique shock wave appears to emanate from
the vertex as depicted in Figure 3. Moreover, since the
As with normal shock waves, the Mach number decreases in changes across the oblique shock wave are no longer small,
an oblique shock, and oblique shock waves are possible only this feature of the flow
if the flow upstream is supersonic. However, unlike normal
shock waves, in which the Mach number downstream is
always subsonic, Ma2 downstream of an oblique shock can
be subsonic, sonic or supersonic, this depends on the number
of Mach upstream Ma1 and the angle of rotation.
 2

Ideal gas:
𝑃2 2𝛶
=1+ (𝛶+1)
(𝑀𝑛1 2 − 1) (Ec6)
𝑃1

𝑀 2 +[2/(𝛶−1)]
𝑀𝑛1 2 = [2𝛶/(𝛶−1)]𝑀
𝑛1
2 (Ec7)
𝑛1 −1
Figure 3: Supersonic flow performing a large compressive
deflection, θ
𝑇2 𝑃2 𝜌1
is non-isentropic. We return to the basic conservation laws = (Ec8)
𝑇1 𝑃1 𝜌2
in order to construct (1) the inclination of the oblique shock
wave, β, due to a finite deflection angle, θ, and (2) the
relations between the flow properties ahead of and behind
Number mach 2:
an oblique shock as a function of the upstream Mach 𝑀𝑛2
number, M1, and the angle, θ. To do so we will consider the 𝑀2 = (Ec9)
𝑆𝑖𝑛 (𝛽−𝜃)
components of the velocity normal to the oblique shock
(denoted by qN ) and tangential to the shock (denoted by
qT ) both upstream of the shock (subscript 1) and These relations are utilized as follows. First by eliminating
downstream (subscript 2) all but θ, M1 and β, the following equation emerges

𝑀1 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝛽−1
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = 2 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝛽 [ ] (Ec10)
𝑀1 2 (𝛶+𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝛽)+2

Given θ, M1 and γ this allows evaluation of the shock

angle, β. The graph in Figure 4 was constructed using this
equation (EC 10). Notice that for a given upstream Mach
number, M1, and a given deflection angle, θ, there are two
Figure 3: Notation for the oblique shock wave analysis values of the shock angle, β, that are possible solutions. We
delay discussion on this until the other pertinent results are
Continuity: identified.
𝜌1 𝑢1 = 𝜌2 𝑢2 (Ec1)

Since the shock is assume infinitely thin and therefore the

area of the flow is the same on both sides.

Momentum normal to the shock:

(−𝜌1 𝑢1 )𝑢1 + (𝜌2 𝑢2 )𝑢2 = −(−𝑝1 +𝑝1 )

𝑝1 + 𝜌1 𝑢1 2 = 𝑝2 +𝜌2 𝑢2 2 (Ec2)

The integral form of the energy equation :

𝑢1 2 𝑢2 2
ℎ1 +
2
= ℎ2 +
2
(Ec3)

State:
𝑝1 𝑝2
𝜌1 𝑇1
=
𝜌2 𝑇2
(Ec4) Figure 4: Data for oblique shock waves.

Mach number:
𝑀𝑛1 = 𝑀1 𝑆𝑖𝑛 𝛽 (Ec5)
 3

III. RESULTS
Mach 1 Vs P2
18.5
Mach 1 Vs β 18.5
18.0
18.0 17.5

Mach 1
17.5 17.0
Mach 1

16.5
17.0
16.0
16.5 15.5
16.0 0.000 10000.00020000.00030000.00040000.000
15.5 P2
31.05 31.1 31.15 31.2
°β
Mach 1 Vs T2
19.0
18.0

Mach 1
Mach 1 Vs Mach 2 17.0
18.5 16.0
18.0 15.0
17.5 0.00001000.0000
2000.0000
3000.0000
4000.0000
5000.0000
Mach 1

17.0 T2
16.5
16.0
15.5
3.630000
3.640000
3.650000
3.660000
3.670000
3.680000
3.690000
Mach 2

Mach 1 Vs β
θ Vs β 20.0

30
15.0
20
Mach 1
θ

10 10.0
0
31.05 31.1 31.15 31.2 5.0

β 0.0
0 10 20 30 40
°β
Mach 1 Vs ρ2 θ Vs Mach 2
19.0
31.0
18.0 30.0
Mach 1

17.0 29.0
28.0
16.0
θ

27.0
15.0 26.0
0.0223 0.0224 0.0225 0.0226 0.0227 0.0228 25.0
24.0
ρ2 0 1 2 3 4
Mach 2
 4

V. REFERENCES
θ Vs β (1) John D. Anderson. “Modern Compressible Flow: With
Historical Perspective” Third Edition. McGraw-Hill Book
32.0 Company. University of Maryland, College Park, 1982.
30.0
28.0 (2) Lawebdefisica. Forum “Onda de Choque” Available in:
θ

26.0 https://forum.lawebdefisica.com/forum/el-aula/fluidos-y-
medios-continuos/25124-onda-de-choque
24.0
0 10 20 30 40

θ Vs ρ2
32.0
30.0
Mach 1

28.0
26.0
24.0
0.02230.02240.02250.02260.02270.02280.0229

ρ2

θ Vs P2
31.0
30.0
29.0
28.0
θ

27.0
26.0
25.0
24.0
0.000 10000.00020000.00030000.00040000.000

P2

θ Vs T2
32.0
30.0
28.0
θ

26.0
24.0
0.0000 2000.0000 4000.0000 6000.0000
T2

IV. ANALYSIS