Receptivity of the Swept Wing Boundary Layer to a Steady Flow Inhomogeneity

The boundary layer on a plate with an inclined blunt leading edge is investigated for a free-stream flow with a small span-periodic velocity inhomogeneity. This flow simulates the penetration of the outer turbulence into the swept wing boundary layer. It is shown that the boundary layer perturbations generated by the inhomogeneity generally have a streamwise velocity component significantly greater than the initial inhomogeneity amplitude. The dependence of the perturbations on the distance from the leading edge and the spanwise inhomogeneity period is found. It is shown that the swept wing boundary layer is less sensitive to the perturbation type in question than the straight wing boundary layer.     

Elementary solutions for streaky structures in boundary layers with and without suction

The temporal evolutions of small, streamwise elongated disturbances in the asymptotic suction boundary layer (ASBL) and the Blasius boundary layer (BBL) are compared. In particular, initial perturbations localized (δ-functions) in the wall-normal direction are studied, corresponding to an axi-symmetric jet coming out of a plane parallel to the flat plate. Analytical solutions are presented for the wall-normal and streamwise velocities in the ASBL case whereas both analytical and numerical methods are used for the BBL case. The initial position of the perturbation and its spanwise wave number are varied in a parameter study. We present results of maximum amplitudes obtained, the time to reach them, their position and optimal spanwise scales. Free-stream disturbances are shown to migrate towards the wall and reach their (negative) optimum inside the boundary layer. The migration is faster for the ASBL case and a larger amplitude is reached than for the BBL. For perturbations originating inside the boundary layer the amplitudes are overall larger and show the phenomenon of overshoot, i.e. positive amplitudes moving out of the boundary layer. The overall largest amplitudes are obtained for the BBL case, as in other studies, but it is shown that for free-stream disturbances initiated somewhere downstream the leading edge streak growth may be amplified due to suction since in the BBL the disturbance mainly advects above the boundary layer.     

Receptivity of a flat plate boundary layer to a free stream axial vortex

A single free stream axial vortex of controlled strength and position was used to investigate a vortical receptivity of Blasius boundary layer. Excited boundary-layer disturbances were dominated by streamwise velocity perturbations, that grew downstream essentially linearly with the streamwise coordinate. It was shown that the disturbance characteristics are in agreement with data of previous experiments performed under natural and control conditions concerning the ‘by-pass’ transition initiated at high free stream disturbance levels. It was proved that the role of the leading edge in the receptivity process and disturbance growth under consideration is not dominant.     

Interaction of a Traveling Pressure Perturbation with a Boundary Layer

The interaction between a traveling pressure perturbation and a laminar compressible boundary layer is investigated for a perturbation level higher than that needed to initiate steady-state flow separation. It is found that if the velocity of the pressure perturbation is fairly high the flow may remain unseparated and its direction of motion determines the nature of the perturbation propagation in the boundary layer. It is shown that even in the linear approximation the perturbations are mainly induced by the linear wall layer and not by the critical layer, which always remains nonlinear. It is also found that in the unsteady case shortwave perturbation oscillations are damped with time while the longwave ones grow and that the growth of the perturbations with time amplifies their damping along the streamwise coordinate while damping reduces it.     

Optimal disturbances in suction boundary layers

A well-known optimization procedure is used to find the optimal disturbances in two different suction boundary layers within the spatial framework. The maximum algebraic growth in the asymptotic suction boundary layer is presented and compared to previous temporal results. Furthermore, the spatial approach allows a study of a developing boundary layer in which a region at the leading edge is left free from suction. This new flow, which emulates the base flow of a recent wind-tunnel experiment, is herein denoted a semi-suction boundary layer. It is found that the optimal disturbances for these two suction boundary layers consist of streamwise vortices that develop into streamwise streaks, as previously found for a number of shear flows. It is shown that the maximum energy growth in the semi-suction boundary layer is obtained over the upstream region where no suction is applied. The result indicates that the spanwise scale of the streaks is set in this region, which is in agreement with previous experimental findings.     

Non-oscillating/Oscillating Shear Layer over a Large Deep Cavity at Low-Subsonic Speeds

The flow over a deep cavity at low subsonic velocity is considered in the present paper. The cavity length-to-depth aspect ratio is L/H = 0.2. Single hot-wire measurements characterized the incident turbulent boundary layer and show the influence of the cavity on the streamwise statistic components just downstream from the cavity. The streamwise mean and fluctuating velocity profiles are affected by the cavity. PIV measurements reveal the presence for ejection-like events responsible of local perturbations of the skewness and the flatness coefficients. Time-resolved PIV technic is also used to characterize phase properties of shear layer oscillating cycle. It is shown that for deep cavity with first Rossiter mode, only one vortical structure is formed at the cavity leading edge. Then, it grows while convecting downstream along the shear layer. A well-defined ejection process begins after the vortex impact near the cavity downstream corner. A cylinder device placed spanwisely near the cavity leading edge eliminates the resonance and highly modifies the behavior of the shear layer flow. In fact, the shear layer could be divided into upper and lower parts with different structure aspects.     

Experiments on localized disturbances in a flat plate boundary layer. Part 2. Interaction between localized disturbances and TS-waves

Previous studies on boundary layer transition at moderate levels of free stream turbulence (FST) have shown that the transition process can be promoted by the introduction of Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) waves. In the present work the interaction between localized boundary layer disturbances and controlled TS-waves is studied experimentally. The localized disturbances are generated either from a controlled free stream perturbation, or by means of suction or injection through a slot in the flat plate surface. Both methods result in boundary layer disturbances dominated by elongated streamwise streaks of high and low velocity in the streamwise component. A strong interaction is observed preferably for high frequency TS-waves, which are damped when generated separately, and the interaction starts as a local amplification of a wide band of low-frequency oblique waves. The later stages of the transition process can be identified as a non-linear interaction between the oblique structures, leading to regeneration of new and stronger streamwise streaks.     

Interaction between longitudinal vortices and flat plate boundary layer

The interaction between longitudinal vortices and flat plate boundary layer has been studied numerically for both laminar and turbulent flow situations. The vortices are assumed to be placed in an otherwise two-dimensional boundary layer flow. The flow is assumed to be incompressible and steady. Considering the fact that the velocity, vorticity and temperature gradients in the transverse directions are much larger than the longitudinal (streamwise) gradients for these flows, the original Navier Stokes equations are parabolized in the streamwise direction. A simple model, based on Boussinesq hypothesis, is used for turbulent flow. The discretized equations are then solved step by step in the streamwise direction, using an iterative procedure at each station. Numerical solutions have been obtained for different parameters, such as the Reynolds number, the circulation and the initial position of the vortices. The computed flow patterns and the skin friction coefficient and Stanton number are found to be qualitatively consistent with available experimental results. It is shown that the interaction between the vortices and the boundary layer may severely disturb the boundary layer flow field and thus considerably increase the local skin friction and heat transfer rate on surface of an aircraft.     

Single-mode plate flutter taking the boundary layer into account

The stability of an elastic plate in supersonic gas flow is investigated using asymptotic methods and taking the boundary layer formed on the plate surface into account. It is shown that the effect of the boundary layer can be of two types depending on its profile. In the case of generalized convex profiles (characteristic of accelerated flow) supersonic and subsonic plate oscillations are stabilized and destabilized, respectively. In the case of profiles with a generalized inflection point located in the subsonic part of the layer (characteristic of homogeneous and decelerated flows) supersonic perturbations are destabilized in the thin boundary layer and stabilized when the layer is fairly thick; subsonic perturbations are damped.     

On Tollmien–Schlichting-like waves in streaky boundary layers

The linear stability of the boundary layer developing on a flat plate in the presence of finite-amplitude, steady and spanwise periodic streamwise streaks is investigated. The streak amplitudes considered here are below the threshold for onset of the inviscid inflectional instability of sinuous perturbations. It is found that, as the amplitude of the streaks is increased, the most unstable viscous waves evolve from two-dimensional Tollmien–Schlichting waves into three-dimensional varicose fundamental modes which compare well with early experimental findings. The analysis of the growth rates of these modes confirms the stabilising effect of the streaks on the viscous instability and that this stabilising effect increases with the streak amplitude. Varicose subharmonic modes are also found to be unstable but they have growth rates which typically are an order of magnitude lower than those of fundamental modes. The perturbation kinetic energy production associated with the spanwise shear of the streaky flow is found to play an essential role in the observed stabilisation. The possible relevance of the streak stabilising role for applications in boundary layer transition delay is discussed.     

Response of a skewed turbulent boundary layer to favourable pressure gradient

Experimental results are reported for the response to a favourable pressure gradient of an initially turbulent boundary layer (Re _θ?≈?1600) developing on a flat plate with its leading edge skewed at 60° to the approach flow. The pressure gradient orthogonal to the leading edge is nominally the same as that which was shown by Escudier et?al. [(1998) Exp Fluids 25: 491–502] to cause extreme thinning of a two-dimensional (2D) (i.e. unskewed) turbulent boundary layer and the intermittency in the immediate vicinity of the surface to fall to zero, i.e. an apparent laminarisation of the boundary layer. In the case of the skewed boundary layer, the responses of the turbulence and mean-flow structures are qualitatively similar to those for the 2D situation. However, the streamwise pressure gradient is much weaker than for the 2D experiment and the extent of the changes it produces is much reduced. Even so, the changes are considerably greater than would be expected from the magnitude of the streamwise pressure gradient.     

Response of the boundary layer developing over a blunt-nosed flat plate to free-stream non-uniformities

The response of the boundary layer on a flat plate with blunt nose to infinitesimally small non-uniformity in the freestream velocity along the span has been studied. The non-uniformity was shown to excite boundary-layer disturbances similar to streaks or Klebanoff modes generally observed in experiments conducted with a high level of free-stream turbulence. The boundary layer disturbances have a predominantly streamwise velocity component and exhibit transient growth. In contrast to streaks generated by streamwise vortices impinging on the sharp nose of a plate, the disturbances produced by free-stream non-uniformity interaction with a blunt nose have a different level of growth. Their maximal amplification scales with the Reynolds number, based on the size of nose bluntness and is almost independent of the spanwise period of disturbances. This difference was shown to be caused by additional amplification of disturbances via vortex lines stretching around the leading edge.     

Experimental investigation of the stability of a supersonic boundary layer on a plate with blunting of the leading edge

In an aerodynamic tube, an experimental investigation of the development of small natural perturbations in a laminar boundary layer on a plate was made. The measurements were made using a thermoanemometric method with a Mach number M = 2 and a unit Reynolds number Re₁ = 3.1·10⁶ m^–1. An investigation of the effect of blunting of the leading edge of the plate on the development of the perturbations was made. It is shown that blunting decreases the range of unstable frequencies and the region of instability and increases the critical Reynolds number of the loss of stability. In the initial section of the plate there is a rise in the perturbations of all frequencies up to a maximal value, whose coordinate is inversely proportional to the frequency. The development of perturbations in this region is insensitive to the state of the boundary layer. The position of the maximum does not change with blunting of the leading edge.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 65–70, July–August, 1977.     

Algebraic growth in boundary layers: optimal control by blowing and suction at the wall

The upstream perturbations that maximise the spatial energy growth in a boundary layer are called optimal perturbations. The optimal perturbations correspond to streamwise vortices and the downstream response corresponds to streamwise streaks.The aim of the present paper is to find a control by blowing and suction at the wall that zeros the energy of perturbation, when the initial disturbance is itself optimal. We shall also address the question: which kind of blowing and suction at the wall is most effective in controlling optimal disturbances?The problem is examined by a method of receptivity analysis based on a numerical solution of a system of equations adjoint to the linearised boundary layer equations. We shall investigate both cases of a flat and a concave wall.     

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.     

Effect of a steady periodic velocity inhomogeneity on boundary layer stability

Direct numerical simulation is used to investigate laminar-turbulent transition in a boundary layer with a span-periodic inhomogeneity of the velocity profile which is created artificially. It is shown that the presence of the inhomogeneity leads to a slowing down of the growth of unstable perturbations and a delaying of the laminar-turbulent transition.Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 45–52, July–August, 1995.     

Experimental Investigation of the Development of Secondary Perturbations on a Swept Wing

The development of traveling secondary perturbations on streamwise structures in the swept wing boundary layer is investigated when the perturbations are excited by a periodic blowing-suction through an orifice on the model surface. The streamwise structures were generated by a roughness glued to the model surface. Qualitative and quantitative results on the development of the flow instability are obtained.     

Effect of Small Bluntness on Formation of Görtler Vortices in a Supersonic Compression Corner Flow

The influence of small cylindrical bluntness of the leading edge of a flat plate on formation of spatial structures in a nominally two-dimensional supersonic compression corner flow at the Mach number M∞ ≈ 8 and a laminar state of the undisturbed boundary layer is studied by the method of temperature-sensitive paints. Streamwise vortices are found in the region of reattachment of the separated flow in a wide range of Reynolds numbers (0.15 · 10⁶–2.55 · 10⁶) for various angles of flow deflection and plate lengths. It is demonstrated that the existence of these vortices induces spanwise oscillations of the heat transfer coefficient; the amplitude of these oscillations may reach 30%. The maximum deviations of the Stanton number reaching 80% are observed in the case with significant roughness of the leading edge of the flat plate. Both the maximum Stanton numbers in the reattachment region and the amplitude of spanwise oscillations of the Stanton number induced by streamwise vortices are found to decrease significantly in the case of small bluntness of the leading edge. Solutions of three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations are obtained for some test conditions. The computed results are in good agreement with experimental data, which points to a significant stabilizing effect of small bluntness on the intensity of streamwise vortices.     

Experimental investigation of helicoidal rolls in an advective flow over a hot horizontal surface

A digital tracer technique is applied to reconstruct the velocity fields in a convective flow developing in a rectangular cavity filled with a layer of fluid and having a bottom consisting of two heat exchangers kept at different temperatures. The upper boundary of the fluid is free. The structure of the secondary flows in the form of streamwise helicoidal rolls generated in the boundary layer over a hot plate is studied. It is shown that the centers of roll rotation coincide with temperature minima in the boundary layer, while the roll shape and dimensions vary with the distance from the temperature jump. With increase in the temperature difference the roll dimensions decrease but the velocity of their rotation increases.     

Wave forerunners of streamwise structures in a swept wing boundary layer

In a model experiment wave packets (forerunners) have been detected for the first time in the flow regions preceding the fronts of streamwise structures in a swept wing boundary layer. The characteristics of the wave packets and the generating streamwise structures and the dynamics of their downstream development are investigated. It is shown that the forerunners can transform into turbulent spots thus leading to laminar-turbulent transition. Certain components of the forerunners are compared with a periodic instability wave.