Stability of the laminar boundary layer flow encountering a row of roughness elements: Biglobal stability approach and DNS

The stability of the laminar boundary layer developing on a flat plate in the presence of a periodic row of roughness elements is investigated. A Direct Numerical Simulation is performed to compute the steady flow downstream of the roughness elements, which contains a pair of two counter-rotating streamwise vortices per element, which can be considered as a “pre-streaky” structure. The linear stability of this base flow is analyzed by means of the so-called “biglobal” stability approach. Three-dimensional eigenmodes are found, which are shown to be the continuation of the Tollmien–Schlichting waves present in the case of an unperturbed boundary layer. Moreover, a stabilizing effect due to the roughness-induced vortices is found. A Direct Numerical Simulation of the interaction between a two-dimensional Tollmien–Schlichting wave and the roughness array is also performed. The computed perturbation traveling downstream of the roughness elements is shown to be a linear combination of the biglobal eigenmodes.     

Characterization of noise amplifiers with global singular modes: the case of the leading-edge flat-plate boundary layer

This article deals with the linear dynamics of a transitional boundary layer subject to two-dimensional Tollmien–Schlichting instabilities. We consider a flat plate including the leading edge, characterized by a Reynolds number based on the length of the plate equal to Re = 6 × 10⁵, inducing a displacement thickness-based Reynolds number of 1,332 at the end of the plate. The global linearized Navier–Stokes equations only display stable eigenvalues, and the associated eigen-vectors are known to poorly represent the dynamics of such open flows. Therefore, we resort to an input–output approach by considering the singular value decomposition of the global resolvent. We then obtain a series of singular values, an associated orthonormal basis representing the forcing (the so-called optimal forcings) as well as an orthonormal basis representing the response (the so-called optimal responses). The objective of this paper is to analyze these spatial structures and to closely relate their spatial downstream evolution to the Orr and Tollmien–Schlichting mechanisms. Analysis of the spatio-frequential diagrams shows that the optimal forcings and responses are respectively localized, for all frequencies, near the upstream neutral point (branch I) and the downstream neutral point (branch II). It is also shown that the spatial growth of the dominant optimal response favorably compares with the e ^N method in regions where the dominant optimal forcing is small. Moreover, thanks to an energetic input–output approach, it is shown that this spatial growth is solely due to intrinsic amplifying mechanisms related to the Orr and Tollmien–Schlichting mechanisms, while the spatial growth due to the externally supplied power by the dominant optimal forcing is negligible even in regions where the dominant optimal forcing is strong. The energetic input–output approach also yields a general method to assess the strength of the instability in amplifier flows. It is based on a ratio comparing two quantities of same physical dimension, the mean-fluctuating kinetic energy flux of the dominant optimal response across some boundary and the supplied mean external power by the dominant optimal forcing. For the present boundary-layer flow, we have computed this amplification parameter for each frequency and discussed the results with respect to the Orr and Tollmien–Schlichting mechanisms.     

Optimal disturbances above and upstream of a flat plate with an elliptic-type leading edge

Adjoint-based iterative methods are employed to compute linear optimal disturbances in a spatially growing boundary layer around an elliptic leading edge. The Lagrangian approach is used where an objective function is chosen and constraints are assigned. The optimisation problem is solved using power iterations combined with a matrix-free formulation, where the state is marched forward in time with a standard direct numerical simulation solver and backward with the adjoint solver until a chosen convergence criterion is fulfilled. We consider the global and, more relevant to receptivity studies, the upstream localised optimal initial condition leading to the largest possible energy amplification at time T. We find that the two-dimensional initial condition with the largest potential for growth is a Tollmien–Schlichting-like wave packet that includes the Orr mechanism and is located inside the boundary layer downstream of the leading edge. Three-dimensional optimal disturbances induce streaks by the lift-up mechanism. Requiring the optimal initial condition to be localised upstream of the plate enables us to better study the effects of the leading edge on the boundary layer receptivity mechanisms. Two-dimensional upstream disturbances are inefficient at triggering unstable eigenmodes, whereas three-dimensional disturbances induce streamwise streaks with significant growth.     

Three-dimensional instability analysis of boundary layers perturbed by streamwise vortices

A parametric study is presented for the incompressible, zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate boundary layer perturbed by streamwise vortices. The vortices are placed near the leading edge and model the vortices induced by miniature vortex generators (MVGs), which consist in a spanwise-periodic array of small winglet pairs. The introduction of MVGs has been experimentally proved to be a successful passive flow control strategy for delaying laminar-turbulent transition caused by Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) waves. The counter-rotating vortex pairs induce non-modal, transient growth that leads to a streaky boundary layer flow. The initial intensity of the vortices and their wall-normal distances to the plate wall are varied with the aim of finding the most effective location for streak generation and the effect on the instability characteristics of the perturbed flow. The study includes the solution of the three-dimensional, stationary, streaky boundary layer flows by using the boundary region equations, and the three-dimensional instability analysis of the resulting basic flows by using the plane-marching parabolized stability equations. Depending on the initial circulation and positioning of the vortices, planar TS waves are stabilized by the presence of the streaks, resulting in a reduction in the region of instability and shrink of the neutral stability curve. For a fixed maximum streak amplitude below the threshold for secondary instability (SI), the most effective wall-normal distance for the formation of the streaks is found to also offer the most stabilization of TS waves. By setting a maximum streak amplitude above the threshold for SI, sinuous shear layer modes become unstable, as well as another instability mode that is amplified in a narrow region near the vortex inlet position.     

On the absolute instability in a boundary-layer flow with compliant coatings

The question of absolute instabilities occuring in a boundary-layer flow with compliant coatings is reassessed. Compliant coatings of the Kramer's type are considered. Performing a local, linear absolute/convective stability analysis, a family of spring-backed elastic plates with damping is shown to be absolutely unstable for sufficiently thin plates. The absolute instability arises from the coalescence between an upstream propagating evanescent mode and the Tollmien–Schlichting wave. To reinforce the local, linear stability results the global stability behaviour of the system is investigated, integrating numerically the full nonparallel and nonlinear two-dimensional Navier–Stokes system coupled to the dynamical model. Injecting Gaussian-type, spatially localized flow disturbances as initial conditions, the spatio-temporal evolution of wave packets is computed. The absolute stability behaviour is retrieved in the global system, for a compliant panel of finite length. It is demonstrated numerically that the global stability behaviour of the wall, triggered by finite-end-effects, may be independent of the disturbance propagation in the flow.     

On the wave-cancelling nature of boundary layer flow control

This work deals with the feedforward active control of Tollmien–Schlichting instability waves over incompressible 2D and 3D boundary layers. Through an extensive numerical study, two strategies are evaluated; the optimal linear–quadratic–Gaussian (LQG) controller, designed using the Eigensystem realization algorithm, is compared to a wave-cancellation scheme, which is obtained using the direct inversion of frequency-domain transfer functions of the system. For the evaluated cases, it is shown that LQG leads to a similar control law and presents a comparable performance to the simpler, wave-cancellation scheme, indicating that the former acts via a destructive interference of the incoming wavepacket downstream of actuation. The results allow further insight into the physics behind flow control of convectively unstable flows permitting, for instance, the optimization of the transverse position for actuation. Using concepts of linear stability theory and the derived transfer function, a more efficient actuation for flow control is chosen, leading to similar attenuation of Tollmien–Schlichting waves with only about 10% of the actuation power in the baseline case.     

Study of tonal noise behavior of an airfoil by using parabolized stability equations

Tonal noise or whistle noise is an aerodynamic noise known to be generated due to boundary layer instability. The relation between the instability of Tollmien–Schlichting wave and the tonal noise was dealt with, in previous studies, for rather limited cases that employed linear stability analysis or results for idealized flow configuration. To investigate the relation between the instability wave and tonal noise in a more thorough and systematic way, we employ the parabolized stability equation approach to compute details of the stability characteristics of boundary layer developed over pressure side surface of an airfoil at various angles of attack and various free-stream velocities. Discussions on the relation between the instability and the tonal noise have been given based on the comparison of the present computational results with the experimental data. We confirm that the overall U ^1.5 dependency of the noise frequency with velocity is caused by the most amplified Tollmien–Schlichting wave. Application of a simple feedback model to the stability data of the present work provides us with the results that explain well the ladder-like structure and local U ^0.8 dependency of the tonal noise. Effects of angle of attack and chord length on the tonal noise including the frequency, velocity range, and frequency difference between peaks of the noise are also examined.     

The advantages of using high‐order finite differences schemes in laminar–turbulent transition studies

This paper presents various finite difference schemes and compare their ability to simulate instability waves in a given flow field. The governing equations for two‐dimensional, incompressible flows were solved in vorticity–velocity formulation. Four different space discretization schemes were tested, namely, a second‐order central differences, a fourth‐order central differences, a fourth‐order compact scheme and a sixth‐order compact scheme. A classic fourth‐order Runge–Kutta scheme was used in time. The influence of grid refinement in the streamwise and wall normal directions were evaluated. The results were compared with linear stability theory for the evolution of small‐amplitude Tollmien–Schlichting waves in a plane Poiseuille flow. Both the amplification rate and the wavenumber were considered as verification parameters, showing the degree of dissipation and dispersion introduced by the different numerical schemes. The results confirmed that high‐order schemes are necessary for studying hydrodynamic instability problems by direct numerical simulation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical modeling of the laminar-turbulent transition control using a dielectric barrier discharge

The control of laminar-turbulent transition driven by Tollmien–Schlichting waves is studied. The control is realized by means of accelerating the boundary layer flow using a dielectric barrier discharge. As distinct from the previous studies based on the solution of the boundary layer equations, the discharge effect on the main flow and unstable disturbances are described by the Navier–Stokes equations.     

A study of the effect of step excrescences and free‐stream disturbances on boundary layer stability

In this work, a study of the mechanism by which free‐stream acoustic and vorticity disturbances interact with a boundary layer flow developing over a flat plate featuring a step excrescence located at a certain distance from a blunt leading edge is included. The numerical tool is a high‐fidelity implicit numerical algorithm solving for the unsteady, compressible form of the Navier–Stokes equations in a body‐fitted curvilinear coordinates and employing high‐accurate compact differencing schemes with Pade‐type filters. Acoustic and vorticity waves are generated using a source term in the momentum and energy equations, as opposed to using inflow boundary conditions, to avoid spurious waves that may propagate from boundaries. The results show that the receptivity to surface step excrescences is largely the result of an overall adverse pressure gradient posed by the step, and that the free‐stream disturbances accelerate the generation of instabilities in the downstream. As expected, it is found that the acoustic disturbance interacting with the surface imperfection is more efficient in exciting the Tollmien–Schlichting waves than the vorticity disturbance. The latter generates Tollmien–Schlichting waves that are grouped in wave packets consistent with the wavelength of the free‐stream disturbance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Pressure Gradient on Boundary Layer Receptivity

This paper presents numerical results for the receptivity of three laminar boundary layers with zero (ZPG), adverse (APG) and favourable (FPG) pressure gradients. Each boundary layer is subjected to a series of simple freestream waveforms which can be considered as constituent parts of either an isotropic or a non-isotropic turbulent freestream. Each freestream waveform has a single frequency in each spatial direction and is divided into two mutually perpendicular components. The first component has a zero spanwise velocity and hence lies in the streamwise normal plane whereas the second component lies in a plane which is perpendicular both to this plane and the spatial frequency vector. High boundary layer receptivities are only obtained for a minority of these waveforms and so only the resulting flow structures for these waveforms are considered in detail. The dominant flow structures are identified as either Tollmien Schlichting (T-S) waves or streaky structures. The streaky structures can be induced by both freestream components, but the response to the second component, which results in streamwise vortices in the freestream, is considerably stronger and occurs over a much larger streamwise frequency range. The boundary layer is only receptive to a relatively narrow band of spanwise wavelengths ranging from approximately one to four times the local boundary layer thickness. The APG leads to receptivities which are more than double those for the FPG case. The ratio of the freestream fluctuation streamwise wavelength to the distance from the plate leading edge is identified as an important influential parameter for receptivity leading to streaks. Significant T-S activity is only observed for APG, but is also detected for ZPG.     

Global stability analysis of axisymmetric boundary layer over a circular cylinder

This paper presents a linear global stability analysis of the incompressible axisymmetric boundary layer on a circular cylinder. The base flow is parallel to the axis of the cylinder at inflow boundary. The pressure gradient is zero in the streamwise direction. The base flow velocity profile is fully non-parallel and non-similar in nature. The boundary layer grows continuously in the spatial directions. Linearized Navier–Stokes (LNS) equations are derived for the disturbance flow quantities in the cylindrical polar coordinates. The LNS equations along with homogeneous boundary conditions forms a generalized eigenvalues problem. Since the base flow is axisymmetric, the disturbances are periodic in azimuthal direction. Chebyshev spectral collocation method and Arnoldi’s iterative algorithm is used for the solution of the general eigenvalues problem. The global temporal modes are computed for the range of Reynolds numbers and different azimuthal wave numbers. The largest imaginary part of the computed eigenmodes is negative, and hence, the flow is temporally stable. The spatial structure of the eigenmodes shows that the disturbance amplitudes grow in size and magnitude while they are moving towards downstream. The global modes of axisymmetric boundary layer are more stable than that of 2D flat-plate boundary layer at low Reynolds number. However, at higher Reynolds number they approach 2D flat-plate boundary layer. Thus, the damping effect of transverse curvature is significant at low Reynolds number. The wave-like nature of the disturbance amplitudes is found in the streamwise direction for the least stable eigenmodes.     

Artificial eigenmodes in truncated flow domains

Whenever linear eigenmodes of open flows are computed on a numerical domain that is truncated in the streamwise direction, artificial boundary conditions may give rise to spurious pressure signals that are capable of providing unwanted perturbation feedback to upstream locations. The manifestation of such feedback in the eigenmode spectrum is analysed here for two simple configurations. First, explicitly prescribed feedback in a Ginzburg–Landau model is shown to produce a spurious eigenmode branch, named the ‘arc branch’, that strongly resembles a characteristic family of eigenmodes typically present in open shear flow calculations. Second, corresponding mode branches in the global spectrum of an incompressible parallel jet in a truncated domain are examined. It is demonstrated that these eigenmodes of the numerical model depend on the presence of spurious forcing of a local \(k^+\) instability wave at the inflow, caused by pressure signals that appear to be generated at the outflow. Multiple local \(k^+\) branches result in multiple global eigenmode branches. For the particular boundary treatment chosen here, the strength of the pressure feedback from the outflow towards the inflow boundary is found to decay with the cube of the numerical domain length. It is concluded that arc branch eigenmodes are artefacts of domain truncation, with limited value for physical analysis. It is demonstrated, for the example of a non-parallel jet, how spurious feedback may be reduced by an absorbing layer near the outflow boundary.     

Nonlinear Instability in the Region of Laminar-Turbulent Transition in Supersonic Three-Dimensional Flow over a Flat Plate

Direct numerical simulation is applied to obtain laminar-turbulent transition in supersonic flow over a flat plate. It is shown that, due to the nonlinear instability, Tollmien–Schlichting waves generated in the boundary layer lead to the formation of oblique disturbances in the flow. These represent a combination of compression and expansion waves, whose intensities can be two orders higher than that of external harmonic disturbances. The patterns of the three-dimensional flow over the plate are presented and the structures of the turbulent flat-plate boundary layers are described for the freestream Mach numbers M = 2 and 4.     

Is Helmholtz Resonance a Problem for Micro-jet Actuators?

A theoretical analysis is described that determines the conditions for Helmholtz resonance for a popular class of self-contained microjet actuator used in both synthetic- and pressure-jump (pulse-jet) mode. It was previously shown that the conditions for Helmholtz resonance are identical to those for optimizing actuator performance for maximum mass flux. The methodology is described for numerical-simulation studies on how Helmholtz resonance affects the interaction of active and nominally inactive micro-jet actuators with a laminar boundary layer. Two sets of numerical simulations were carried out. The first set models the interaction of an active actuator with the boundary layer. These simulations confirm that our criterion for Helmholtz resonance is broadly correct. When it is satisfied we find that the actuator cannot be treated as a predetermined wall boundary condition because the interaction with the boundary layer changes the pressure difference across the exit orifice thereby affecting the outflow from the actuator. We further show that strong inflow cannot be avoided even when the actuator is used in pressure-jump mode. In the second set of simulations two-dimensional Tollmien–Schlichting waves, with frequency comparable with, but not particularly close to, the Helmholtz resonant frequency, are incident on a nominally inactive micro-jet actuator. The simulations show that under these circumstances the actuators act as strong sources of 3D Tollmien–Schlichting waves. It is surmised that in the real-life aeronautical applications with turbulent boundary layers broadband disturbances of the pressure field, including acoustic waves, would cause nominally inactive actuators, possibly including pulsed jets, to act as strong disturbance sources. Should this be true it would probably be disastrous for engineering applications of such massless microjet actuators for flow control.     

Disturbance growth in two-fluid channel flow: The role of capillarity

This work examines the role of capillarity in the non-modal linear stability properties of three-dimensional disturbances in sheared two-layer flow of immiscible fluids of similar density. Capillarity reduces the transient growth of energy that occurs due to the non-normality of the linear stability problem according to a scaling of peak energy with We^1/2 over a wide range of Weber number, viscosity ratio and wavenumber. More importantly, the participation of capillary modes in non-modal growth leads to oscillatory energy growth and to larger disturbance growth rates, features that are confirmed by computing the numerical range and numerical abscissa of the non-normal disturbance evolution operator. Examination of energy components and disturbance structure reveals that early rapid growth and subsequent oscillations are due to the coupling of streamwise vortices – the two-fluid analog of lift-up – to the displaced interface.     

A Combined Experimental/Numerical Study of Unsteady Phenomena in a Laminar Separation Bubble

A laminar boundary layer separates in a region of adverse pressure gradient on a flat plate and undergoes transition. Finally the turbulent boundary layer reattaches, forming a laminar separation bubble (LSB). Laminar-turbulent transition within such a LSB is investigated by means of Laser-Doppler-Anemometry (LDA), Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), and direct numerical simulation (DNS). The transition mechanism occurring in the flow-field under consideration is discussed in detail. Observations for the development of small disturbances are compared to predictions from viscous linear instability theory (Tollmien–Schlichting instability). Non-linear development of these disturbances and their role in final breakdown to turbulence is analyzed.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF LINEAR AND NONLINEAR DISTURBANCE EVOLUTION IN A BOUNDARY LAYER WITH COMPLIANT WALLS

A computational method capable of simulating the spatial evolution of disturbances in a boundary-layer flow with compliant coatings has been developed. The flow geometry being an unknown of the problem, this difficulty is overcome by use of a mapping, the domain being fixed in the computational coordinates. The model takes into account the nonlinear fluid-structure interaction all over the flow field, as well as nonparallel effects due to the wall displacement and to the boundary-layer growth. First, the numerical solution procedure is tested by focusing on the linear and nonlinear spatial disturbance evolution for a spring-backed elastic plate which is only unstable with respect to Tollmien–Schlichting-type travelling waves. The numerical procedure is then used to study the influence of the initial disturbance amplitude on the disturbance development for a tensioned membrane. Finally, to simulate a true physical experiment, a spring-backed elastic plate of finite length is considered. It is shown that the numerical model is capable of detecting the interaction between Tollmien–Schlichting instabilities and flow-induced surface instabilities at the interface.     

Excitation by sound of Tollmien-Schlichting waves in a supersonic boundary layer

The interaction of sound with a supersonic boundary layer is considered. Because of the dependence of the main flow on the longitudinal coordinate, a sound wave generates unstable oscillations within the boundary layer. Calculations made for Mach number M = 2.0 and dimensionless frequency 2πfv_e/U_e ² = 0.91·10^?4 showed that near the lower branch of the curve of neutral stability a Tollmien—Schlichting wave can be excited with an intensity 2–3 times greater than that of the external acoustic wave.     

哈特曼边界层的初级稳定性分析

导电流体在法向外置磁场的作用下,在贴近壁面处会形成哈特曼边界层.哈特曼边界层的稳定性研究对电磁冶金过程和热核聚变反应冷却系统等相关设备的设计和运行都有着十分重要的意义.本文采用非正则模态稳定性分析方法,对两无限大绝缘平行平板内导电流体流动的稳定性进行了研究.通过在时间上迭代求解扰动变量的控制方程组和伴随控制方程组,获得了在磁场作用下初级扰动的增长情况及其空间分布形式,分析了磁场强度对最优扰动增长倍数G_max、最优展向波数β_opt和最优时刻t_opt的影响,并考察了上下两个哈特曼边界层之间的相互作用.结果表明,最优初始扰动的空间分布形式为沿着流场方向的漩涡,关于法向方向对称或者反对称.当哈特曼数Ha较大时(Ha>10),对称漩涡和反对称漩涡形式的初始扰动增长倍数基本相等;上下两个哈特曼边界层可以认为是彼此独立的,不会相互影响,此时最优扰动增长倍数G_max与局部雷诺数R的平方成正比,相应的最优展向波数β_opt和最优时刻t_opt均正比于哈特曼数Ha.当哈特曼数Ha较小时(Ha<10),反对称漩涡形式的初始扰动更为不稳定,其增长倍数大于对称漩涡的增长倍数,且上下两个边界层之间存在着一定的相互作用,并对整个流场的稳定性产生一定的影响.