Numerical simulation of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability driven by imploding shocks

Abstract

In this paper, the classical piecewise parabolic method (PPM) is generalized to compressible two-fluid flows, and is applied to simulate Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) induced by imploding shocks. We use the compressible Euler equations together with an advection equation for volume fraction of one fluid component as model system, which is valid for both pure fluid and two-component mixture. The Lagrangian-remapping version of PPM is employed to solve the governing equations with dimensional-splitting technique incorporated for multi-dimensional implementation, and the scheme proves to be non-oscillatory near material interfaces. We simulate RMI driven by imploding shocks, examining cases of single-mode and random-mode perturbations on the interfaces and comparing results of this instability in planar and cylindrical geometries. Effects of perturbation amplitude and shock strength are also studied. © 2008 IMACS.