3D Shock Boundary Layer Over a Heated Plate

This project aims to understand how the structure of the turbulent boundary layer is altered through 3D shock wave turbulent boundary layer interactions (SWTBLIs). This will be either an experimental or computational investigation of the complex interaction of crossing shocks over a hypersonic and potentially turbulent boundary layer.

If experimental,

• the student will design the model and perform experiments of this phenomena under "flight-matched" conditions in UQ's world-class, high-enthalpy shock tunnels.
• the experiments will focus on isolating the effects of wall heating, transitional/turbulent boundary layers and shock strength on the interactions.
• highly relevant optical diagnostics (in the form of FLDI, high-speed schlieren imaging etc) and surface-mounted sensors (heat transfer gauges/pressure transducers) will be used to create a full picture of this complex interaction with a mind to create validation data for numerical simulations.

If numerical,

• the student will work with our in-house compressible flow solver to advance its Large Eddy Simulations (LES) capabilities.
• gain competence in running simulations in HPC systems, and deploy relevant computational runs of the experimental model.
• explore various physical effects that are harder to vary in the experiments, alongside reproducing what is done in the experiments for validation. This will include preliminary RANS runs which will then be used to select and run key LES simulations of the actual experiments.

In either branch, the student will be supervised by world-leading experts at UQ and will work closely with our collaborators at prestigious international partner universities.

The student will be a part of the Centre for Hypersonics (CfH), which is one of the foremost hypersonics groups in the world (ranked #1 by the League of Scholars). This is demonstrated by regular collaborations and invitations for our academic staff to participate in world-leading hypersonics projects. This includes prestigious flight tests (HyShot, HIFiRE, SCRAMSPACE, BOLT II etc). The CfH currently houses 9 active academic staff and two emeritus staff along with 35+ HDR students and 10+ postdoctoral research staff. CfH is a vibrant group with research activities in all spectrum of hypersonics from planetary entry/re-entry to atmospheric flight. CfH's particular niche is its high-enthalpy facilities that can produce flight-matched test conditions. Complementary to this is our advanced computational simulations capabilities within our in-house hypersonic flow solver Eilmer. Eilmer is increasingly used around the world to study hypersonic flows of various genres.

This is an Fellowship support scheme scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Fellowship support scheme scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of compressible flow physics would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of fluid mechanics/aerospace engineering and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of shock boundary layer interactions is highly desirable.