Similarity properties of the laminar or turbulent separation phenomena in a non-uniform supersonic flow

A detailed and systematic experimental analysis of the separation phenomena in a plane and uniform supersonic flow, clearly emphasizing the influence of the laminar, turbulent or transitional nature of the boundary layer, has been presented first by Chapman, Kuehn, and Larson [1]. It has led these authors to point out a theoretical approach based on the existence of similarity properties in the development of the boundary layer around the separation point. This very simple method, applicable to laminar as well as turbulent flow, leads to a rather complete description of separation. It is particularly well adapted to practical applications, and has been used in that way by Erdos and Pallone [2]. More recently Lewis, Kubota, and Lees [3] have considered an extension of Chapman’s work to the case of uniform and nonadiabatic hypersonic flows.