The turbulent/non-turbulent interface in an adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer

The turbulent/non-turbulent interface (TNTI) in an adverse pressure gradient (APG, β = 1.45) turbulent boundary layer (TBL) is explored here by using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data; β is the Clauser pressure gradient parameter. For comparison, the DNS data for a zero pressure gradient (ZPG) TBL is included. The interface is extracted with an approach based on enstrophy criteria. Depending on the enstrophy, the outer boundary layer flow can be classified into the free stream, boundary layer wake, and intermittent flow regimes. The fractal dimension of the interface is obtained by using the box-counting algorithm, and was found to be constant over a long range of box sizes. The TNTI shows a monofractal behavior. The geometric complexity of a TNTI can be determined in terms of the genus, which is defined as the number of handles in a geometric object. We examine the volume and projection area of the genus of the TNTI to analyze the entrainment process. The geometric complexity of the APG TBL interface and the local entrainment are greater than those of the ZPG TBL, as is evident in the increases in the genus near the interface. The local entrainment velocity is dominantly affected by the viscous diffusion at the interface.     

Low- and high-speed structures in the outer region of an adverse-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer

Large- and very large-scale structures in the form of elongated regions of low and high streamwise momentum have been studied in the outer region of a turbulent boundary layer subjected to a strong adverse pressure gradient. Large sets of streamwise–spanwise instantaneous velocity fields are acquired by particle image velocimetry at three wall-normal positions (0.2δ, 0.5δ, 0.8δ) at three different streamwise locations and at 0.1δ at the last streamwise location which allows us to study the wall-normal and streamwise variations of the structures. Subsequently, a pattern-recognition method and a classification scheme are employed in order to detect, classify and characterize the structures in an efficient and rigorous manner. Like in the case of zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers, long meandering streaky regions of low and high momentum are observed in the outer region of the present flow but they appear less frequently; especially in the lower part (at 0.1δ and 0.2δ) of the large-velocity-defect zone, i.e. near detachment. The dimensions of these large structures scale on boundary-layer thickness (δ) and are generally comparable to those previously reported for such structures in the overlap region of zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers. Interestingly, the adverse pressure gradient does not significantly affect the dimensions and arrangement of the large-scale structures in the upper part (at 0.5δ and 0.8δ) a segment of the outer region where the scaled Reynolds stresses also remain fairly self-similar.     

Effect of an adverse pressure gradient on the streamwise Reynolds stress profile maxima in a turbulent boundary layer

It is widely accepted that in a turbulent boundary layer （TBL） with adverse pressure gradient （APG） an outer peak usually appears in the profile of streamwise Reynolds stress. However, the effect of APG on this outer peak is not clearly understood. In this paper, the effect of APG is analysed using the numerical and experimental results in the literature. Because the effect of upstream flow is inherent in the TBL, we first analyse this effect in TBLs with zero pressure gradient on flat plates. Under the individual effect of upstream flow, an outer peak already appears in the profile of streamwise Reynolds stress when the TBL continues developing in the streamwise direction. The APG accelerates the appearance of the outer peak, instead of being a trigger.     

DNS,LES and RANS of turbulent heat transfer in boundary layer with suddenly changing wall thermal conditions

The objectives of this study are to investigate a thermal field in a turbulent boundary layer with suddenly changing wall thermal conditions by means of direct numerical simulation (DNS), and to evaluate predictions of a turbulence model in such a thermal field, in which DNS of spatially developing boundary layers with heat transfer can be conducted using the generation of turbulent inflow data as a method. In this study, two types of wall thermal condition are investigated using DNS and predicted by large eddy simulation (LES) and Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation simulation (RANS). In the first case, the velocity boundary layer only develops in the entrance of simulation, and the flat plate is heated from the halfway point, i.e., the adiabatic wall condition is adopted in the entrance, and the entrance region of thermal field in turbulence is simulated. Then, the thermal boundary layer develops along a constant temperature wall followed by adiabatic wall. In the second case, velocity and thermal boundary layers simultaneously develop, and the wall thermal condition is changed from a constant temperature to an adiabatic wall in the downstream region. DNS results clearly show the statistics and structure of turbulent heat transfer in a constant temperature wall followed by an adiabatic wall. In the first case, the entrance region of thermal field in turbulence can be also observed. Thus, both the development and the entrance regions in thermal fields can be explored, and the effects upstream of the thermal field on the adiabatic region are investigated. On the other hand, evaluations of predictions by LES and RANS are conducted using DNS results. The predictions of both LES and RANS almost agree with the DNS results in both cases, but the predicted temperature variances near the wall by RANS give different results as compared with DNS. This is because the dissipation rate of temperature variance is difficult to predict by the present RANS, which is found by the evaluation using DNS results.     

Transitionally rough zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers

Near-wall measurements are performed to study the effects of surface roughness and viscous shear stresses on the transitionally rough regime (5 < k ⁺ < 70) of a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer. The x-dependence is known from the eleven consecutive measurements in the streamwise direction, which allows for the computation of the streamwise gradients in the boundary layer equations. Thus, the skin friction is computed from the integrated boundary layer equation with errors of 3 and 5% for smooth and rough, respectively. It is found that roughness destroys the viscous layer near the wall, thus, reducing the contribution of the viscous stress in the wall region. As a result, the contribution in the wall shear stress due to form drag increases, while the viscous stress decreases. This yields Reynolds number invariance in the skin friction as k ⁺ increases into the fully rough regime. Furthermore, the roughness at the wall reduces the high peak of the streamwise component of the Reynolds stress in the near-wall region. However, for the Reynolds wall-normal and shear stress components, its contribution is not significantly altered for sand grain roughness.     

A parametric study of adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers

There are many open questions regarding the behaviour of turbulent boundary layers subjected to pressure gradients and this is confounded by the large parameter space that may affect these flows. While there have been many valuable investigations conducted within this parameter space, there are still insufficient data to attempt to reduce this parameter space. Here, we consider a parametric study of adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers where we restrict our attention to the pressure gradient parameter, β, the Reynolds number and the acceleration parameter, K. The statistics analyzed are limited to the streamwise fluctuating velocity. The data show that the mean velocity profile in strong pressure gradient boundary layers does not conform to the classical logarithmic law. Moreover, there appears to be no measurable logarithmic region in these cases. It is also found that the large-scale motions scaling with outer variables are energised by the pressure gradient. These increasingly strong large-scale motions are found to be the dominant contributor to the increase in turbulence intensity (scaled with friction velocity) with increasing pressure gradient across the boundary layer.     

Numerical prediction of locally forced turbulent boundary layer

An unsteady numerical simulation was performed to analyze flow structure behind a local suction/blowing in a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer. The local forcing was given to the boundary layer flow by means of a sinusoidally oscillating jet. A version of the unsteady k––f_μ model [Fluid Dyn. Res. 26 (6) (2000) 421] was employed. The Reynolds number based on the momentum thickness was about Re_θ=1700. The forcing frequency was varied in the range 0.011f⁺0.044 with a fixed forcing amplitude A_o=0.4. The predicted results were compared and validated with the experimental data. It was shown that the unsteady locally forced boundary layer flow is predicted well by the k––f_μ model. The time-dependent numerical flow visualizations were demonstrated during one period of the local forcing. The effect of the pitch angle of local forcing on the reduction of skin friction was examined.     

Multiple distortion of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer

Two experiments were performed to study the response of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer to successive distortions. In the first experiment (Case 1), the flow passed over a forward-facing ramp formed by 20° compression corner followed by a 20° expansion corner located about 4_o downstream, where _o is the incoming boundary layer thickness. In the second experiment (Case 2), the forward-facing ramp was constructed of curved compression and expansion surfaces with the same turning angles and total step height as in Case 1. The radii of curvature for the compression and expansion surfaces were equal to 12_o. In both experiments, the flow relaxation was observed over a distance equal to 12_o. In this relaxation region, the mean and turbulent flow behavior of the boundary layer was measured. The mean velocity profile was found to be altered by the distortion. Recovery of the profile began near the wall and occurred rapidly, but in the outer part of the boundary layer, recovery proceeded slowly. Turbulence measurements revealed a dramatic reduction in the turbulence shear stress and a progressively decaying streamwise Reynolds stress profile.     

Investigation of a hypersonic crossing shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction

A combined theoretical and experimental study is presented for the interaction between crossing shock waves generated by (10°, 10°) sharp fins and a flat plate turbulent boundary layer at Mach 8.3. The theoretical model is the full 3-D mean compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes RANS) equations incorporating the algebraic turbulent eddy viscosity model of Baldwin and Lomax. A grid refinement study indicated that adequate resolution of the flowfield has been achieved. Computed results agree well with experiment for surface pressure and surface flow patterns and for pitot pressure and yaw angle profiles in the flowfield. The computations, however, significantly overpredict surface heat transfer. Analysis of the computed flowfield results indicates the formation of complex streamline and wave structures within the interaction region.This article was processed using Springer-Verlag T_EX Shock Waves macro package 1.0 and the AMS fonts, developed by the American Mathematical Society.     

The boundary layer solutions of the interface problem considering the strain gradient

According to the classical elastic theory, there is always a discontinuity of rotation angle on the interface between different materials. This illogic result can be overcome by the strain gradient plasticity theory. In the light of this theory, there is a group of boundary layer solutions near the interface, which have made important adjustment of the classical results. This project is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (19891180).     

Numerical simulations of non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer flowing over a bump

Large‐eddy simulation (LES) and Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes simulation (RANS) with different turbulence models (including the standard k?ε, the standard k?ω, the shear stress transport k?ω (SST k?ω), and Spalart–Allmaras (S–A) turbulence models) have been employed to compute the turbulent flow of a two‐dimensional turbulent boundary layer over an unswept bump. The predictions of the simulations were compared with available experimental measurements in the literature. The comparisons of the LES and the SST k?ω model including the mean flow and turbulence stresses are in satisfied agreements with the available measurements. Although the flow experiences a strong adverse pressure gradient along the rear surface, the boundary layer is unique in that intermittent detachment occurring near the wall. The numerical results indicate that the boundary layer is not followed by mean‐flow separation or incipient separation as shown from the numerical results. The resolved turbulent shear stress is in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data, though the computational result of LES shows that its peak is overpredicted near the trailing edge of the bump, while the other used turbulence models, except the standard k?ε, underpredicts it. Analysis of the numerical results from LES confirms the experimental data, in which the existence of internal layers over the bump surface upstream of the summit and along the downstream flat plate. It also demonstrates that the quasi‐step increase in skin friction is due to perturbations in pressure gradient. The surface curvature enhances the near‐wall shear production of turbulent stresses, and is responsible for the formation of the internal layers. The aim of the present work is to examine the response and prediction capability of LES with the dynamic eddy viscosity model as a sub‐grid scale to the complex turbulence structure with the presence of streamline curvature generated by a bumpy surface. Aiming to reduce the computational costs with focus on the mean behavior of the non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer of flow over the bump surface, the present investigation also explains the best capability of one of the used RANS turbulence models to capture the driving mechanism for the surprisingly rapid return to equilibrium over the trailing flat plate found in the measurements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On near-wall turbulence-generating events in a turbulent boundary layer on a riblet surface

The boundary layer over a drag reducing riblet surface is investigated using hot-wire anemometry and flow visualisation. The concept of a riblet sublayer is introduced, and a definition is proposed in terms of a region of reduced turbulence energy production formed near the wall by the addition of riblets. The hot wire records are examined using a modified form of quadrant analysis, and results obtained over plain and riblet surfaces are compared. Close to the wall, the addition of riblets produces a marked reduction in the occurrence of ejection (2nd quadrant) events. A corresponding increase in the incidence of sweep (4th quadrant) events is accompanied by the development of a strong tendency toward a preferred event duration, and a preferred interval between events. These changes diminish rapidly with distance from the surface, becoming almost undetectable beyondy ⁺=40. They are discussed in the light of flow visualisation results, and interpreted in terms of mechanisms associated with the interaction between the riblets and the inner boundary layer flow structures. A conceptual model of the flow mechanisms in the riblet sublayer is proposed.     

Diffusion of macromolecular solutions in the turbulent boundary layer of a cylindrical pipe

A model is presented describing the changes that occur in the diffusion boundary layer upon injection of a macromolecular solution (PEO) into a cylindrical pipe under turbulent flow conditions (Re 40,000). A shape parameter was introduced to describe the shape of the turbulent plume. The value of this parameter was found to be the same for water and various dilute PEO solutions. The proposed model gives a good approximation at low homogeneous concentrations. x downstream distance from the slot - y normal distance from the wall - R radius of the pipe - C concentration - C _w wall concentration - Q _i flow rate injection - Q _t flow rate - C _j =C _i *Q _i /Q _t equivalent homogeneous polymer concentration - L _tf characteristic length of the diffusion plume - characteristic height of the diffusion plume, i.e. the value ofy at whichC/C _w = 0.5 - thickness of the diffusion boundary layer - x ₀ characteristic distance from the slot, i.e. the value ofx at which/R = 1/2 - ⁺ shape parameter of the diffusion boundary layer - ⁺ —/R nondimensionalized variables - x ⁺ —x/L _tf nondimensionalized variables     

Large-scale spanwise periodicity in a turbulent boundary layer induced by highly ordered and directional surface roughness

The effect of converging–diverging riblet-type surface roughness (riblets arranged in a ‘herringbone’ pattern) are investigated experimentally in a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer. For this initial parametric investigation three different parameters of the surface roughness are analysed in detail; the converging–diverging riblet yaw angle α, the streamwise fetch or development length over the rough surface F_x and the viscous-scaled riblet height h⁺. It is observed that this highly directional surface roughness pattern induces a large-scale spanwise periodicity onto the boundary layer, resulting in a pronounced spanwise modification of the boundary layer thickness. Hot-wire measurements reveal that above the diverging region, the local mean velocity increases while the turbulent intensity decreases, resulting in a thinner overall boundary layer thickness in these locations. The opposite situation occurs over the converging region, where the local mean velocity is decreased and the turbulent intensity increases, producing a locally thicker boundary layer. Increasing the converging–diverging angle or the viscous-scaled riblet height results in stronger spanwise perturbations. For the strongest convergent–divergent angle, the spanwise variation of the boundary layer thickness between the diverging and converging region is almost a factor of two. Such a large variation is remarkable considering that the riblet height is only 1% of the unperturbed boundary layer thickness. Increasing the fetch seems to cause the perturbations to grow further from the surface, while the overall strength of the induced high and low speed regions remain relatively unaltered. Further analysis of the pre-multiplied energy spectra suggests that the surface roughness has modified or redistributed the largest scale energetic structures.     

The structure of a three-dimensional boundary layer subjected to streamwise-varying spanwise-homogeneous pressure gradient

A spatially-evolving three-dimensional boundary layer, subjected to a streamwise-varying spanwise-homogeneous pressure gradient, equivalent to a body force, is investigated by way of direct numerical simulation. The pressure gradient, prescribed to change its sign half-way along the boundary layer, provokes strong skewing of the velocity vector, with a layer of nearly collateral flow forming close to the wall up to the position of maximum spanwise velocity. A wide range of flow-physical properties have been studied, with particular emphasis on the near-wall layer, including second-moments, major budget contributions and wall-normal two-point correlations of velocity fluctuations and their angles, relative to wall-shear fluctuations. The results illustrate the complexity caused by skewing, including a damping in turbulent mixing and a significant lag between strains and stresses. The study has been undertaken in the context of efforts to develop and test novel hybrid LES–RANS schemes for non-equilibrium near-wall flows, with an emphasis on three-dimensional near-wall straining. Fundamental flow-physical issues aside, the data derived should be of particular relevance to a priori studies of second-moment RANS closure and the development and validation of RANS-type near-wall approximations implemented in LES schemes for high-Reynolds-number complex flows.     

Prediction of the turbulent boundary layer development by the lag-entrainment method

The lag-entrainment method, which is a well-established integral method for predicting the development of turbulent boundary layers, is used in this study to predict two-dimensional turbulent separated flow. The method is used in an inverse mode, in which the displacement thickness is specified together with other integral parameters of the boundary layer. It is concluded that the prediction of two-dimensional separated flow by an integral method is feasible, but there is a need for accurate data for both equilibrium and general separated flows for making a comparison.     

The effect of Reynolds number on boundary layer turbulence

A new facility for studying high Reynolds number incompressible turbulent boundary layer flows has been constructed. It consists of a moderately sized wind tunnel, completely enclosed by a pressure vessel, which can raise the ambient air pressure in and around the wind tunnel to 8 atmospheres. This results in a Reynolds number range of about 20:1, while maintaining incompressible flow. Results are presented for the zero pressure gradient flat plate boundary layer over a momentum thickness Reynolds number range 1500–15?000. Scaling issues for high Reynolds number non-equilibrium boundary layers are discussed, with data comparing the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer flow over a swept bump at Reynolds numbers of 3800 and 8600. It is found that successful prediction of these types of flows must include length scales which do not scale on Reynolds number, but are inherent to the geometry of the flow.     

An approximate analytical solution of the laminar boundary layer equations

Using the pressure gradient as the new variable instead of.the ordinarylongitudinal coordinate x,Liu transformed the ordinary laminar boundary equationsinto a new form.On this base Liu obtained the frictional stress factor by using thegraphical method.In this paper the same variable replacement as in[1]is used and an approximateanalytical solution of the laminar boundary layer equations by the series method isobtained.The author also obtains a formula of frictional stress factor.For the case ofthe main function without the term of constant,the author makes a furthersimplification.The error of the frictional stress factor obtained by the author is stillless than 10％,compared with that of[1].