Simulation of sonic boom interaction with shear turbulence

We investigate the interaction of pressure waves with the shear turbulence in a supersonic jet flow obtained from the direct numerical integration of the time-dependent, three-dimensional Euler equations. The resulting self-sustaining turbulent jet flow matches closely the relevant time and length scales of atmospheric turbulence. N-waves, characteristic of sonic booms, are simulated by perturbing the pressure profile and following these perturbations in space and time. The results reproduce most of the wave forms reported in laboratory experiments and in flight test data.