Direct numerical simulation of canonical shock/turbulence interaction*

The problem of isotropic turbulence passing through a nominally normal shock wave is studied by direct numerical simulation. Special attention is paid to the nonlinear regime of strong turbulence interacting with a relatively weak shock, in which the turbulence-induced shock movement is considerable. Instantaneous profiles through the shock show a wide variation, including single strong compressions, double compressions, and essentially smooth and continuous compressions. The second- order statistics are compared to linear analysis, and the effect of interaction- nonlinearity is discussed.