Hypersonic fluid–structure interactions in compression corner shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction

The fluid–structure interaction of a flexible panel exposed to a ramp-induced shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) at Mach 6 is investigated experimentally for transitional and turbulent incoming boundary layers. Panel deformations are measured using photogrammetry enabled by a new marker-tracking routine, whereas pressure fluctuations are obtained with fast-response piezoresistive pressure transducers. The significance of aerothermal heating is evident in the nonlinear panel response: enhanced static deformations and frequency shifting are consistent with a temperature differential between the panel and its support structure, which induces compressive thermal strain and flexural softening. Time-domain and modal vibratory behavior are correlated to the SWBLI environment, and shear-layer reattachment near antinodes of certain mode shapes is identified as a source of enhanced panel excitation. Comparison with companion rigid-ramp experiments shows evidence of feedback into the downstream flowfield regime.