• DECEMBER 2019

Expansion Waves

Shock-Expansion Theory – Lesson 4

 Expansion Waves
• In the previous lesson, we discussed how oblique shock waves form in supersonic flows, for example,
when the supersonic flow encounters a concave corner.
• If the flow instead encounters a convex corner, a system of expansion waves forms.
• We will examine this phenomenon in this lesson.

Supersonic Flow
Mach Number

Convex corner

Concave corner
Mach number contour plot showing supersonic flow interacting with a cone-cylinder
leading to the formation of oblique shocks and expansion waves.

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Physical Model of an Expansion Wave
Expansion Fan

• Expansion waves occur whenever a supersonic flow turns in such a way as 𝑀1 ≥ 1

𝑀2 , 𝑇2 , p2
to expand in the direction of the flow (i.e., the flow streamlines expand). 𝑇1 , p1
𝜇1 𝜇2
• The expansion region is continuous in that the properties vary relatively
smoothly and continuously, which is opposite to the abrupt change across 𝜃2
a shock.

• The expansion process has the effect of increasing the Mach number
(flow accelerates) and decreasing static flow properties (pressure, 1 1
temperature and density). 𝜇1 = sin−1 𝜇2 = sin−1
𝑀1 𝑀2

• For an abrupt corner as shown in the figure, a group of expansion Mach waves form such that the flow turns
and becomes parallel to the downstream wall. An expansion wave is often called an expansion fan.

• Each line (wave) in the expansion fan represents a line of constant properties. There are an infinite number
of waves emanating from the corner, and each wave will turn the flow a small amount, leading to a
differential model.

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Governing Equations for a Planar Expansion Wave
• Consider a single Mach wave for a flow being turned through a
differential angle 𝑑𝜃. Recall that a Mach wave has a unique Mach angle
for a given Mach number:

1 𝜇
𝜇 = sin−1 1/𝑀 ⟹ tan 𝜇 =
𝑀12 − 1 𝑉 𝑑𝜃

• From geometric and trigonometric considerations:

𝑉 + 𝑑𝑉 sin(𝜋/2 + 𝜇) cos 𝜇 cos 𝜇 1

= = ≈ = = 1 + 𝑑𝜃 tan 𝜇 + ⋯
𝑉 sin(𝜋/2 − 𝜇 − 𝑑𝜃) cos 𝜇 cos 𝑑𝜃 − sin 𝜇 sin 𝑑𝜃 cos 𝜇 − 𝑑𝜃 sin 𝜇 1 − 𝑑𝜃 tan 𝜇

𝑑𝜃 - small Taylor series expansion

to 1st order
⇓
𝑑𝑉
𝑑𝜃 = 𝑀12 − 1 Prandtl-Meyer equation
𝑉

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 Solution of Prandtl-Meyer Equation
• The Prandtl-Meyer equation was derived as an approximation for small 𝑑𝜃, but will hold equality for 𝑑𝜃 → 0.

• Only the definition of a Mach wave and geometric reasonings were used in derivations, yielding a general
equation applicable for ideal, real and reacting gases.

• The equation needs to be integrated to obtain a solution for the expansion wave:

𝑑𝑉
−𝜃 + const = න 𝑀 2 − 1 = 𝜈(𝑀)
𝑉

• An explicit expression can be obtained for an ideal gas. Recalling:

𝑎02 𝑇0 𝛾−1 2 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑀 𝑑𝑎 𝑑𝑀 1 𝑀2 − 1
= + = ⟹ 𝜈 𝑀 =න
𝑉 = 𝑎𝑀, = =1+ 𝑀 ⟹ 𝑉 𝑀 𝑎 𝑀 1 + 𝛾 − 1 𝑀2 𝛾−1 2 ⟹
𝑎2 𝑇 2 2 1+ 2 𝑀

𝛾+1 𝛾−1 2
𝜈 𝑀 = tan−1 𝑀 − 1 − tan−1 𝑀2 − 1 Prandtl-Meyer function
𝛾−1 𝛾+1

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Calculation of an Expansion Wave
• The constant of integration is usually chosen so that 𝜈(𝑀 = 1) = 0.

• Turning the upstream flow through an angle Δ𝜃 accelerates the flow to a unique Mach number 𝑀2 which
depends only on the fluid property 𝛾 and the initial Mach number 𝑀1 .

• Finally, the deflection angle can be expressed as:

sign convention for 𝜃: positive ν – counterclockwise (compression)
𝜃2 = 𝜈 𝑀2 − 𝜈 𝑀1
turning, negative ν – clockwise (expansion) turning

• The Prandtl-Meyer expansion fan can be calculated as follows:

• Determine 𝜈 𝑀1 from the Prandtl-Meyer function using known upstream Mach number value 𝑀1

• Obtain 𝜈 𝑀2 from the above equation using known 𝜃2 and 𝜈 𝑀1 from the previous step

• Determine 𝑀2 from the Prandtl-Meyer function using 𝜈 𝑀2 calculated in the previous step

NOTE: Direct calculation of the Mach number from 𝜈 requires inversion of the non-linear equation, and it can be carried out
either using a numerical technique, or 𝑀 can be obtained from tabulated or plotted representation of 𝜈 vs. 𝑀.

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Calculation of an Expansion Wave (cont.)
• Since the expansion wave is isentropic, total pressure and total
temperature are conserved across the expansion, and their
static values downstream of the expansion can be related to
the upstream values as:

𝛾−1 2 𝛾/(𝛾−1)
𝛾−1
𝑇2 1 + 2 𝑀1 𝑝2 1 + 2 𝑀12
= =
𝑇1 1 + 𝛾 − 1 𝑀2 𝑝1 𝛾−1
2 2 1 + 2 𝑀22

• As 𝑀 varies from 1 to ∞, 𝜈 increases monotonically from 0 to

𝜈𝑚𝑎𝑥 :

𝜋 𝛾+1
𝜈𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − 1 = 0.7247𝜋 rad = 130.454°
2 𝛾−1 Plot showing the Variation of Prandtl-Meyer Angle with Mach number

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Application of Prandtl-Meyer Function to Compression Waves

• As we stated earlier, the Prandtl-Meyer function was derived using the definition of a Mach wave and geometric
considerations, but the condition of flow expansion was not explicitly used in derivations.

• As a result, the Prandtl-Meyer function will hold true in situations where the flow is turning isentropically through
an envelope of Mach waves, regardless of whether the flow is expanding or compressing.

• In the lesson on oblique shocks, we considered a situation of flow compression through an envelope of Mach
waves in a supersonic flow over a curved corner, but did not offer a theory at that time.

• It turns out the near-wall compression flow across the Mach wave fan can be analyzed using the same Prandtl-
Meyer function approach for expansion waves, but with the opposite convention sign:

𝜃2 = 𝜈 𝑀1 − 𝜈 𝑀2

NOTE: This analysis is limited to the near-wall region where the envelope Mach waves exist. Further away from the
wall where the Mach waves coalesce into an oblique shock, the oblique shock theory can be applied.

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Comparison of Expansion and Compression Wave Analysis
• Consider a supersonic flow at 𝑀 = 2 being turned by
37
a) 10° expansion 36
expansion 36.38°
35
34
b) 10° compression 33

Prandtl-Meyer Angle (deg)

32
31
𝑀1 = 2 30
29
𝑀1 = 2 28
27
26 26.38°
10° 25
° 24
10
(a) 23
(b) 22
21
20
19
18
• The table below summarizes the Prandtl-Meyer function 17 16.38°
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analysis for these two situations: 15
1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
10° expansion 10° compression M
𝜈 𝑀1 26.38° 26.38° 𝑀2 = 1.652 𝑀2 = 2.386
𝜈 𝑀2 36.38° 16.38°
𝑀2 2.386 1.652

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Summary

• In this lesson we discussed expansion waves, derived the governing Prandtl-Meyer equation for an
expansion wave and derived its solution.

• We also commented on the applicability of the Prandtl-Meyer analysis to compression waves and
provided comparison between expansion and compression wave calculations for the same deflection
angle.

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