Three dimensional investigation of the shock train structure in a convergent–divergent nozzle

•Three dimensional computational fluid dynamics analyses of shock train.•RSM simulation of shock train in a convergent–divergent nozzle.•Investigation of heat generation sources and changing inlet flow total temperature.

Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analyses have been employed to study the compressible and turbulent flow of the shock train in a convergent–divergent nozzle. The primary goal is to determine the behavior, location, and number of shocks. In this context, full multi-grid initialization, Reynolds stress turbulence model (RSM), and the grid adaption techniques in the Fluent software are utilized under the 3D investigation. The results showed that RSM solution matches with the experimental data suitably. The effects of applying heat generation sources and changing inlet flow total temperature have been investigated. Our simulations showed that changes in the heat generation rate and total temperature of the intake flow influence on the starting point of shock, shock strength, minimum pressure, as well as the maximum flow Mach number.