Numerical Simulation of Riblet Controlled Spatial Transition in a Zero-Pressure-Gradient Boundary Layer

To analyze the fundamental physical mechanism which determines the damping effect of a riblet surface on three-dimensional transition several numerical simulations of spatial transition in a flat plate zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer above a riblet wall are performed in this study. Two types of forced transition scenarios are investigated. The first type of transition is defined by K-type transition induced by a dominant two-dimensional Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) wave and a weak spanwise disturbance. The second type of transition is purely excited by two oblique waves. By a qualitative analysis of the occurring maximum wall-normal and spanwise velocity components and the Fourier modes of the disturbances the two-dimensional TS waves are found to be amplified by riblets, whereas three-dimensional structures, i.e., Λ-, hairpin, and streamwisely aligned vortices, are damped. At oblique transition the breakdown to turbulence is delayed by the riblets compared to transition on a clean surface. The investigation of the near wall flow structure reveals secondary flows induced by the riblets and reduced wall normal ejections as well as a reduced downwash.