A variational inequality formulation for transonic compressible steady potential flows: Radially symmetric transonic shock

Abstract

We establish a variational inequality formulation that captures the transonic shock for a steady compressible potential flow. Its critical point satisfies the transonic equation; moreover the associated jump conditions across its free boundary match the usual Rankine-Hugoniot jump conditions for a shock. By means of example we validate our formulation, and establish the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a transonic shock. Numerical results are also discussed.