Analysis of shock train leading shock structure under oscillatory backpressure

The leading shock in a steady shock train takes one of two forms: oblique or normal. However, the phenomenon and mechanism of the normal-to-oblique transition of the leading shock in a forced shock train have not been widely reported. In this study, leading normal and oblique shocks are experimentally observed at the same position and similar velocities in a forced oscillation shock train with an incoming Mach number of 1.83. The normal-to-oblique transition is found to be closely related to the self-excited oscillation of the shock train. In addition, we find that the direct use of free-interaction theory cannot accurately predict the leading shock angle in a moving shock train. Thus, free-interaction theory requires appropriate correction for this scenario.