Amplification factor transport equation modelling of Mack mode disturbances in hypersonic boundary layers

In the hypersonic boundary layer, the streamwise instability modes are mainly the Mack first mode and the Mack second mode. After the Mach number exceeds 4.0, the Mack second mode becomes the dominant instability mode for boundary layer transition. Currently, there is no complete analytical method to establish an amplification factor transport equation for the second mode. In order to improve the application of the amplification factor transport (AFT) model in hypersonic boundary layer transition prediction, this paper employs boundary layer similarity solutions to conduct stability analysis on the second mode and introduces a function to calculate the growth rate of disturbances. Additionally, a transport equation for the amplification factor of the second mode is formulated. For the non-local variables appearing in the equation, a local calculation method is provided. Combined with the intermittency factor transport equation, a transition prediction model for the second mode is formed. Hypersonic flat plate, wedge, and flared wedge are selected for model validation. The computed results show good agreement with standard stability analysis or experimental results, demonstrating the rationality of the transition model and its high prediction accuracy and reliability.