Formation and evolution of the streamwise vortices in mixing layers

The evolution of the three-dimensional time-developing mixing layer is simulated numerically using the pseudo-spectral method. The initial perturbations used in this study consisted of the two-dimensional fundamental wave and the streamwise-invariant three-dimensional disturbance. A comparison of the formations of the streamwise vortices with different amplitude functions for three-dimensional disturbances is made. In one case the results are similar to that of Rogers & Moser^[1], whereas a different way in which the quadrupole forms and sudden expansion of the rib are observed in another case. The simulation also confirms that the stretching by the forming roller rather than Rayleigh centrifugal instability is responsible for the formation of the rib. Finally, numerical flow visualization results are presented. The project supported by the Zhejiang Province Natural Science Special Fund for Youth Scientistis' Cultivation.