Investigation of boundary layer stability in a gradient flow with a high degree of free-stream turbulence

The results of an experimental investigation of boundary layer stability in a gradient flow with a high degree of free-stream turbulence are presented. The question of the possible artificial generation, the further development and the effect on laminar-turbulent transition of instability waves (Tollmien-Schlichting waves) in the boundary layer on a wing profile is considered for a level of free-stream turbulence =1.75% of the free-stream velocity; the sensitivity of the flow to the disturbances and their control by means of boundary layer suction are investigated.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 2, pp. 52–58, March–April, 1990.     

Localized Coherent Structures in the Boundary Layer

A Blasius laminar boundary layer and a steady turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate in an incompressible fluid are considered. The spectral characteristics of the Tollmien—Schlichting (TS) and Squire waves are numerically determined in a wide range of Reynolds numbers. Based on the spectral characteristics, relations determining the three–wave resonance of TS waves are studied. It is shown that the three–wave resonance is responsible for the appearance of a continuous low–frequency spectrum in the laminar region of the boundary layer. The spectral characteristics allow one to obtain quantities that enter the equations of dynamics of localized perturbations. By analogy with the laminar boundary layer, the three–wave resonance of TS waves in a turbulent boundary layer is considered.     

Excitation of Tollmien-Schlichting waves py a vibrating section of a surface with flow round it

In the context of the problem of describing the transition of a laminar boundary layer to a turbulent, great interest attaches to the study of susceptibility, i.e., of the reaction of the flow to various external influences, such as acoustic perturbations, surface roughness, vibration of the wall, turbulence of the unperturbed flow, etc. A general property of the effect of the factors mentioned above on the flow in a laminar boundary layer was discovered in experimental and numerical studies and is noted in [1]: in all cases an external forcing perturbation leads to the excitation of normal modes of oscillation in the boundary layer which propagate downstream, namely, Tollmien-Schlichting waves. There is an analytical calculation in [2, 3] of the amplitude of a wave excited by harmonic oscillations of a narrow band on the surface of a plane plate, the Reynolds number having been assumed to be infinitely large, and the frequency of the vibrator corresponding to the neighborhood of the lower branch of the neutral cuirve [4], In [5] the amplitude of the wave of instability generated is calculated by the method of expansion of the solution in a biorthogonal system of eigenfunctions. The amplitudes of the Tollmien-Schlichting waves are calculated below by means of a generalization of the method of [2] for the whole range of Reynolds numbers and frequencies of the vibrator corresponding to the region of instability: for moderate Reynolds numbers the problem is solved numerically, while for large Reynolds numbers an asymptotic solution is constructed.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 46–51, July–August, 1987.The author is grateful to M. N. Kogan and V. V. Mikhailov for useful discussions of the results of the study.     

Method of factorization in unsteady problems of gravity-elastic wave excitation in a fluid with a partially free boundary

An approach to the solution of unsteady problems with mixed boundary conditions for a layer of heavy fluid is developed. The plane problem of wave excitation by displacements given in a certain region of the lower boundary of the layer when the upper boundary is partially covered by an elastic plate is examined by way of illustration. As distinct from [1, 2], the proposed approach makes it possible to construct a solution in the form of a sum of harmonics and to carry out an analytic investigation into the nature of the propagation and stabilization of the wave fields. The space-time regions of the forming and formed wave packets are identified.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 100–106, November–December, 1985.     

Development of three-dimensional disturbances in a boundary layer with pressure gradient

The results of an experimental investigation of the three-dimensional stability of a boundary layer with a pressure gradient are presented. A low-turbulence subsonic wind tunnel was employed. The development of a three-dimensional wave packet of oscillations harmonic in time in the boundary layer on a model wing is studied. The amplitudephase distributions of the pulsations in the wave packet are subjected to a Fourier analysis. Spectral (with respect to the wave numbers) decomposition of the oscillations enables the flow stability with respect to plane waves with different directions of propagation to be examined. The results are compared with the corresponding data obtained in flat plate experiments. The effect of the pressure gradient on the development of the three-dimensional spectral components of the disturbances and the dispersion properties of the flow is analyzed.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 85–91, May–June, 1988.     

Quasilinear Theory of Generation of Hydroelastic Waves in a Turbulent Boundary Layer over an Elastic Coating

Wave generation in an incompressible turbulent boundary layer over an elastic coating is investigated. A deviation of the coating surface is represented in the form of a superposition of random-phase harmonics. The response of the flow to wavy surface deflection is determined in the quasilinear approximation. Calculations are carried out on the basis of the local turbulent boundary layer model and a numerical solution of the Prandtl equation. The competition equations for fast waves excited on a low-loss coating are obtained. The results of solving these equations are compared with the known experimental data.     

Experimental investigation of the development of harmonic disturbances in the boundary layer on a flat plate at mach number M=4

The development of three-dimensional wave packets artificially introduced into a boundary layer has been experimentally investigated. The measurements were made by the hot-wire anemometer method in the boundary layer on a flat plate at a Mach number M = 4. The artificial disturbances were introduced into the boundary layer by means of an electric discharge. A Fourier analysis of the data made it possible to obtain the wave characteristics of the plane waves. The composition of the disturbances was analyzed and those most dangerous from the instability standpoint were identified. The data obtained are compared with the results of experiments carried out at M = 2. The differences in the data are discussed.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 6, pp. 54–58, November–December, 1990.     

Hypersonic boundary-layer transition on a flared cone

Transition on a flared cone with zero angle of attack was studied in our newly established Mach 6 quiet wind tunnel (M6QT) via wall pressure measurement and flow visualization. High-frequency pressure transducers were used to measure the second-mode waves’ amplitudes and frequencies. Using pulsed schlieren diagnostic and Rayleigh scattering technique, we got a clear evolution of the second-mode disturbances. The second-mode waves exist for a long distance, which means that the second-mode waves grow linearly in a large region. Strong Mach waves are radiated from the edge of the boundary layer. With further development, the second-mode waves reach their maximum magnitude and harmonics of the second-mode instability appear. Then the disturbances grow nonlinearly. The second modes become weak and merge with each other. Finally, the nonlinear interaction of disturbance leads to a relatively quiet zone, which further breaks down, resulting in the transition of the boundary layer. Our results show that transition is determined by the second mode. The quiet zone before the final breakdown is observed in flow visualization for the first time. Eventual transition requires the presence of a quiet zone generated by nonlinear interactions.     

Flow instability in the laminar boundary layer separation zone created by a small roughness element

The development of disturbances of the laminar flow in the separation zone behind a surface projection in the boundary layer on a flat plate has been experimentally investigated. The linear instability characteristics of the separated flow are determined and the interaction between the oscillations growing in the separation zone and the average flow is studied.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 16–22, January–February, 1990.     

Calculation of surface waves propagating on a current and in shallows

Some questions relating to the calculation of the energy of surface waves propagating on a current and in shallows are considered. Terms that take into account the interaction of the wave boundary layer and the average shear flow are introduced into the wave energy balance equation.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 185–188, January–February, 1992.     

Growth of artificially induced disturbances in a supersonic boundary layer

This work proposes a method of inducing artificial disturbances of adjustable amplitude in a supersonic boundary layer. Using the proposed method, an experimental study is made of the development of a three-dimensional wave packet of low intensity at a frequency of 20 kHz in the boundary layer of a flat plate at Mach number M = 2.0. The Fourier components of the wave packet are determined. The data obtained are compared with the results of calculating the linear stability of the supersonic boundary layer in a plane-parallel flow approximation.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 37–43, September–October, 1984.     

Acoustic Field Effect on Laminar Turbulent Transition on a Swept Wing in the Favorable Pressure Gradient Region

The development of disturbances in a three-dimensional boundary layer on a swept wing model is studied both under natural conditions and for artificial excitation of traveling waves by an acoustic field. It is found that steady-state streamwise structures are formed in the three-dimensional boundary layer; under natural conditions a wave packet leading to turbulence is detected. When the flow is exposed to the action of an acoustic field at a frequency from the wave packet, disturbances whose velocity along the streamwise structures is equal to 0.55 of the oncoming flow velocity are formed, while the laminar-turbulent transition is displaced upstream.     

Occurrence of Tolman-Schlichting waves in the boundary layer under the effect of external perturbations

Under small external perturbations, the initial stage of the laminar into turbulent flow transition process in boundary layers is the development of natural oscillations, Tolman-Schlichting waves, which are described by the linear theory of hydrodynamic stability. Subsequent nonlinear processes start to appear in a sufficiently narrow band of relative values of the perturbation amplitudes (1–2% of the external flow velocity) and progress quite stormily. Hence, the initial linear stage of relatively slow development of perturbations is governing, in a known sense, in the complete transition process. In particular, the location of the transition point depends, to a large extent, on the spectrum composition and intensity of the perturbations in the boundary layer, which start to develop according to linear theory laws, resulting in the long run in destruction of the laminar flow mode. In its turn, the initial intensity and spectrum composition of the Tolman-Schlichting waves evidently depend on the corresponding characteristics of the different external perturbations generating these waves. The significant discrepancy in the data of different authors on the transition Reynolds number in the boundary layer on a flat plate [1–4] is probably explained by the difference in the composition of the small perturbing factors (which have not, unfortunately, been fully checked out by far). Moreover, it is impossible to expect that all kinds of external perturbations will be transformed identically into the natural boundary-layer oscillations. The relative role of external perturbations of different nature is apparently not identical in the Tolman-Schlichting wave generation process. However, how the boundary layer reacts to small external perturbations, under what conditions and in what way do external perturbations excite Tolman-Schlichting waves in the boundary layer have practically not been investigated. The importance of these questions in the solution of the problem of the passage to turbulence and in practical applications has been emphasized repeatedly recently [5, 6], Only the first steps towards their solution have been taken at this time [4, 7–10], Out of all the small perturbing factors under the real conditions of the majority of experiments to investigate the flow stability and transition in the case of smooth polished walls, three are apparently most essential, viz.: the turbulence of the external flow, acoustic perturbations, and model vibrations. In principle, all possible mechanisms for converting the energy of these perturbations into Tolman-Schlichting waves can be subdivided into two classes (excluding the nonlinear interactions which are not examined here): 1) distributed wave generation in the boundary layer; and 2) localized wave generation at the leading edge of the streamlined model. Among the first class is both the possibility of the direct transformation of the external flow perturbations into Tolman-Schlichting waves through the boundary-layer boundary, and wave excitation because of the active vibrations of the model wall. Among the second class are all possible mechanisms for the conversion of acoustic or vortical perturbations, as well as the vibrations of the streamlined surface, into Tolman-Schlichting waves, which occurs in the area of the model leading edge.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR. Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 85–94, September–October, 1978.     

Development of a Shear Instability in Nodal Zones of a Standing Internal Wave

The results of experimentally investigating the initial stage of development of shear instability of the interface between two immiscible fluids relatively oscillating during the parametric excitation of standing internal waves are presented. Three stages of distortion of the sinusoidal wave profile are distinguished: the formation of short secondary waves, their breaking, and transition to large-scale vortex formations. It is shown that in the nodal zones of a standing wave quasi-stationary wave perturbations start to develop at wave steepnesses Γ ～ 0.08–0.13 and critical Reynolds numbers of the laminar boundary layer R ～ 90–300. The experimental data are compared with the classical Kelvin-Helmholtz theory.     

Structure of artificial disturbances induced by an external acoustic field in a supersonic boundary layer

The wave structure of the artificial disturbances generated by an external acoustic field in a supersonic boundary layer is investigated. The disturbances are classified with respect to phase velocity. Disturbances whose phase velocity in the direction of flow is greater than unity and waves located at the boundary of the discrete and continuous spectra are detected.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 82–86, May–June, 1989.     

Nonlinear Disturbances and Weak Discontinuities in a Supersonic Boundary Layer

The processes of wave disturbance propagation in a supersonic boundary layer with self-induced pressure [1–4] are analyzed. The application of a new mathematical apparatus, namely, the theory of characteristics for systems of differential equations with operator coefficients [5–8], makes it possible to obtain generalized characteristics of the discrete and continuous spectra of the governing system of equations. It is shown that the discontinuities in the derivatives of the solution of the boundary layer equations are concentrated on the generalized characteristics. It is established that in the process of flow evolution the amplitude of the weak discontinuity in the derivatives may increase without bound, which indicates the possibility of breaking of nonlinear waves traveling in the boundary layer.     

Hydrodynamics of a sphere in a stratified fluid

The flow pattern around a sphere moving at constant velocity in a fluid with an exponential density distribution is investigated by optical methods. The thin density boundary layer forming the high-gradient envelope of the wake is distinguished as one of the elements of the structure. The symmetry properties of the flow are investigated. The limits of applicability of the traditional approximation of weak stratification in the problem of excitation of attached internal waves are noted.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 3–9, January–February, 1989.     

Three-wave resonance interaction of disturbances in a boundary layer

The three-frequency resonance of Tolman-Schlichting waves, one of which propagates along the stream while the other two propagate at adjacent angles to it, is investigated as a function of the spectrum and initial intensity in incompressible flows of the boundary-layer type within the framework of a weakly nonlinear theory. In the parallel-flow approximation such an interaction leads to the formation of unstable self-oscillations. The spatial evolution of the associated disturbances is studied with allowance for the self-similar deformation of the velocity profile of the main flow. It is shown that such development can lead to a sharp amplification of the oscillations, primarily of those propagating at an angle to the flow. The role of the effects under consideration in the transitional process and the connection with experimental data are discussed. As experiments [1, 2] show, in the process of a transition from a laminar boundary layer to a turbulent region, well described by the linear theory of hydrodynamic stability, there first comes a section of the excitation of harmonics of a Tolman-Schlichting wave, the appearance of three-dimensional structures, and a rapid growth in the intensity of low-frequency oscillations. There is no doubt that in this section the phenomena are dependent on the nonlinear character of the development with disturbances. The resonance interaction of wave triads can play an important role in this. For small enough amplitudes such an interaction is described by a first-order theory [3, 4], and in the general case the nonlinear effects associated with them should occur sooner than others. The importance of resonance triads for the explanation of the development of three-dimensional structures in a layer and the generation of intense pulsations has already been emphasized in [5, 6]. The clarification of the properties of the evolution of resonantly interacting disturbances therefore is important for an understanding of this transitional process.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 78–84, September–October, 1978.The authors thank V. Ya. Levchenko for a discussion of the work.     

Thermocapillary instability of a deformable liquid film

The instability of a plane liquid film with a uniform transverse temperature gradient under conditions of weightlessness is considered. The surface tension is assumed to depend linearly on the temperature. On the basis of an exact solution of the neutral perturbation problem for a layer with deformable boundaries, the instability domains, the dispersion curves, and the shape of the perturbations are determined. It is shown that on the interval of low Prandtl numbers both thermocapillary waves with predominantly longitudinal flow and capillary waves, supported by the thermocapillary effect, with intense transverse liquid flow can develop on the film.Perm'. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 5, pp. 30–36, September–October, 1996.     

Nonlinear interaction of a large vortex with a boundary layer

The nonlinear problem of boundary layer instability under the influence of a plane vortex is investigated for high Reynolds numbers. The vortex occupies the entire thickness of the boundary layer and has a longitudinal dimension of the order of the Tollmien-Schlichting wavelength. The initial vortex is rapidly swept away by the flow, inducing a Stokes layer near the surface of the plate. Expanding, this layer reaches the dimensions of the viscous sublayer of free interaction theory, where wave packet generation takes place. In the case in question a feature of the nonlinear stage of development of the disturbances is the formation of a concentrated vortex, which arises in the Stokes layer and grows rapidly, whereas the wave packet propagated ahead of it remains linear. From the calculations there emerges a tendency for the new vortex to be formed above the wail, whereas the maximum vorticity of the vortex generated in the Stokes layer corresponds to the wall itself.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.1, pp. 70–77, January–February, 1993.The authors are grateful to V. V. Kozlov for his interest in their work.