Mean flow generation by an intermittently unstable boundary layer over a sloping wall

2018 ◽  
Vol 853 ◽  
pp. 111-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abouzar Ghasemi ◽  
Marten Klein ◽  
Andreas Will ◽  
Uwe Harlander
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Coriolis Force ◽  
Rotation Rate ◽  
Tangential Component ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Unstable Boundary Layer ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gortler Vortices

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the flow in various rotating annular confinements have been conducted to investigate the effects of wall inclination on secondary fluid motions due to an unstable boundary layer. The inner wall resembles a truncated cone (frustum) whose apex half-angle is varied from $18^{\circ }$ to $0^{\circ }$ (straight cylinder). The large inner radius $r_{1}$, the mean rotation rate $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{0}$ and the kinematic viscosity $\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}$ were kept constant resulting in the constant Ekman number $E=\unicode[STIX]{x1D708}/(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{0}r_{1}^{2})=4\times 10^{-5}$. Flows were excited by time-harmonic modulation of the inner wall’s rotation rate (so-called longitudinal libration) by prescribing the amplitude $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{0}$ and the forcing frequency $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{0}$. By steepening the inner wall and hence reducing the effect of the local Coriolis force in the boundary layer three different flow regimes can be realized: a rotation-dominated, a libration-dominated and an intermediate regime. In the present study we focus on the libration-dominated regime. For small libration amplitudes (here $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}=0.2$), a laminar Ekman–Stokes boundary layer (ESBL) is realized at the librating wall. With the aid of laminar boundary layer theory and DNS we show that the ESBL exhibits an oscillatory mass flux along the librating wall (Ekman property) and an oscillatory azimuthal velocity, which resembles a radially damped wave (Stokes property). For large libration amplitudes (here $\unicode[STIX]{x1D700}=0.8$), the DNS results exhibit an intermittently unstable ESBL, which turns centrifugally unstable during the prograde (faster) part of a libration period. This instability is due to the Stokes property and gives rise to Görtler vortices, which are found to be tilted with respect to the azimuth when the librating wall is at a finite angle relative to the axis of rotation. We show that this tilt is related to the Ekman property of the ESBL. This suggests that linear and nonlinear dynamics are equally important for this intermittent instability. Our DNS results indicate further that the Görtler vortices propagate into the fluid bulk where they generate an azimuthal mean flow. This mean flow is notably different from the mean flow driven in the case of the stable ESBL. A diagnostic analysis of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations in the unstable flow regime hints at a competition between the radial and axial turbulent transport terms which act as generating and destructing agents for the azimuthal mean flow, respectively. We show that the balance of both terms depends on the wall inclination, that is, on the wall-tangential component of the Coriolis force.

The fully nonlinear development of Görtler vortices in growing boundary layers

1988 ◽  
Vol 415 (1849) ◽  
pp. 421-444 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Evolution Equations ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Fully Nonlinear ◽  
Nonlinear Development ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gortler Vortices

The fully nonlinear development of small-wavelength Görtler vortices in a growing boundary layer is investigated by a combination of asymptotic and numerical methods. The starting point for the analysis is the weakly nonlinear theory of Hall ( J. Inst. Math. Applies 29, 173 (1982)) who discussed the initial development of large-wavenumber small-amplitude vortices in a neighbourhood of the location where they first become linearly unstable. That development is unusual in the context of nonlinear stability theory in that it is not described by the Stuart-Watson approach. In fact, the development is governed by a pair of coupled nonlinear partial differential evolution equations for the vortex flow and the mean flow correction. Here the further development of this interaction is considered for vortices so large that the mean flow correction driven by them is as large as the basic state. Surprisingly it is found that such a nonlinear interaction can still be described by asymptotic means. It is shown that the vortices spread out across the boundary layer and effectively drive the boundary layer. In fact, the system obtained by the equations for the fundamental component of the vortex generates a differential equation for the basic state. Thus the mean flow adjusts so as to make these large amplitude vortices locally neutral. Moreover in the region where the vortices exist the mean flow has a ‘square-root’ profile and the vortex velocity field can be written down in closed form. The upper and lower boundaries of the region of vortex activity are determined by a free-boundary problem involving the boundary-layer equations. In general it is found that this region ultimately includes almost all of the original boundary layer and much of the free stream. In this situation the mean flow has essentially no relation to the flow that exists in the absence of the vortices.

Measurements in a Transitional Boundary Layer With Görtler Vortices

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Terrence W. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Streamwise Velocity ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Concave Wall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gortler Vortices

The laminar-turbulent transition process has been documented in a concave-wall boundary layer subject to low (0.6%) free-stream turbulence intensity. Transition began at a Reynolds number, Rex (based on distance from the leading edge of the test wall), of 3.5×105 and was completed by 4.7×105. The transition was strongly influenced by the presence of stationary, streamwise, Görtler vortices. Transition under similar conditions has been documented in previous studies, but because concave-wall transition tends to be rapid, measurements within the transition zone were sparse. In this study, emphasis is on measurements within the zone of intermittent flow. Twenty-five profiles of mean streamwise velocity, fluctuating streamwise velocity, and intermittency have been acquired at five values of Rex, and five spanwise locations relative to a Görtler vortex. The mean velocity profiles acquired near the vortex downwash sites exhibit inflection points and local minima. These minima, located in the outer part of the boundary layer, provide evidence of a “tilting” of the vortices in the spanwise direction. Profiles of fluctuating velocity and intermittency exhibit peaks near the locations of the minima in the mean velocity profiles. These peaks indicate that turbulence is generated in regions of high shear, which are relatively far from the wall. The transition mechanism in this flow is different from that on flat walls, where turbulence is produced in the near-wall region. The peak intermittency values in the profiles increase with Rex, but do not follow the “universal” distribution observed in most flat-wall, transitional boundary layers. The results have applications whenever strong concave curvature may result in the formation of Görtler vortices in otherwise 2-D flows. Because these cases were run with a low value of free-stream turbulence intensity, the flow is not a replication of a gas turbine flow. However, the results do provide a base case for further work on transition on the pressure side of gas turbine airfoils, where concave curvature effects are combined with the effects of high free-stream turbulence and strong streamwise pressure gradients, for they show the effects of embedded streamwise vorticity in a flow that is free of high-turbulence effects.

Nonlinear evolution and secondary instability of steady and unsteady Görtler vortices induced by free-stream vortical disturbances

2017 ◽  
Vol 829 ◽  
pp. 681-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongdong Xu ◽  
Yongming Zhang ◽  
Xuesong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Nonlinear Evolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Secondary Instability ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Gortler Vortices ◽  
The Impact

We study the nonlinear development and secondary instability of steady and unsteady Görtler vortices which are excited by free-stream vortical disturbances (FSVD) in a boundary layer over a concave wall. The focus is on low-frequency (long-wavelength) components of FSVD, to which the boundary layer is most receptive. For simplification, FSVD are modelled by a pair of oblique modes with opposite spanwise wavenumbers $\pm k_{3}$, and their intensity is strong enough (but still of low level) that the excitation and evolution of Görtler vortices are nonlinear. For the general case that the Görtler number $G_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}$ (based on the spanwise wavelength $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ of the disturbances) is $O(1)$, the formation and evolution of Görtler vortices are governed by the nonlinear unsteady boundary-region equations, supplemented by appropriate upstream and far-field boundary conditions, which characterize the impact of FSVD on the boundary layer. This initial-boundary-value problem is solved numerically. FSVD excite steady and unsteady Görtler vortices, which undergo non-modal growth, modal growth and nonlinear saturation for FSVD of moderate intensity. However, for sufficiently strong FSVD the modal stage is bypassed. Nonlinear interactions cause Görtler vortices to saturate, with the saturated amplitude being independent of FSVD intensity when $G_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}}\neq 0$. The predicted modified mean-flow profiles and structure of Görtler vortices are in excellent agreement with several steady experimental measurements. As the frequency increases, the nonlinearly generated harmonic component $(0,2)$ (which has zero frequency and wavenumber $2k_{3}$) becomes larger, and as a result the Görtler vortices appear almost steady. The secondary instability analysis indicates that Görtler vortices become inviscidly unstable in the presence of FSVD with a high enough intensity. Three types of inviscid unstable modes, referred to as sinuous (odd) modes I, II and varicose (even) modes I, are identified, and their relevance is delineated. The characteristics of dominant unstable modes, including their frequency ranges and eigenfunctions, are in good agreement with experiments. The secondary instability is intermittent when FSVD are unsteady and of low frequency. However, the intermittence diminishes as the frequency increases. The present theoretical framework, which allows for a detailed and integrated description of the key transition processes, from generation, through linear and nonlinear evolution, to the onset of secondary instability, represents a useful step towards predicting the pre-transitional flow and transition itself of the boundary layer over a blade in turbomachinery.

Data Analysis Methods for Stereo PIV of a High Aspect Ratio Flexible Cylinder

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Furey ◽  
P. Atsavapranee ◽  
K. Cipolla
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Particle Image Velocimetry Data ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Boundary Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cylinder Flow

Stereo Particle Image velocimetry data was collected over high aspect ratio flexible cylinders (L/a = 1.5 to 3 × 105) to evaluate the axial development of the turbulent boundary layer where the boundary layer thickness becomes significantly larger than the cylinder diameter (δ/a>>1). The flexible cylinders are approximately neutrally buoyant and have an initial length of 152 m and radii of 0.45 mm and 1.25 mm. The cylinders were towed at speeds ranging from 3.8 to 15.4 m/sec in the David Taylor Model Basin. The analysis of the SPIV data required a several step procedure to evaluate the cylinder boundary flow. First, the characterization of the flow field from the towing strut is required. This evaluation provides the residual mean velocities and turbulence levels caused by the towing hardware at each speed and axial location. These values, called tare values, are necessary for comparing to the cylinder flow results. Second, the cylinder flow fields are averaged together and the averaged tare fields are subtracted out to remove strut-induced ambient flow effects. Prior to averaging, the cylinder flow fields are shifted to collocate the cylinder within the field. Since the boundary layer develops slowly, all planes of data occurring within each 10 meter increment of the cylinder length are averaged together to produce the mean boundary layer flow. Corresponding fields from multiple runs executed using the same experimental parameters are also averaged. This flow is analyzed to evaluate the level of axisymmetry in the data and determine if small changes in cylinder angle affect the mean flow development. With axisymmetry verified, the boundary flow is further averaged azimuthally around the cylinder to produce mean boundary layer profiles. Finally, the fluctuating velocity levels are evaluated for the flow with the cylinder and compared to the fluctuating velocity levels in the tare data. This paper will first discuss the data analysis techniques for the tare data and the averaging methods implemented. Second, the data analysis considerations will be presented for the cylinder data and the averaging and cylinder tracking techniques. These results are used to extract relevant boundary layer parameters including δ, δ* and θ. Combining these results with wall shear and momentum thickness values extracted from averaged cylinder drag data, the boundary layer can be well characterized.

The structure of a highly decelerated axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer

2021 ◽  
Vol 929 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Agastya Balantrapu ◽  
Christopher Hickling ◽  
W. Nathan Alexander ◽  
William Devenport
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Boundary Layer Thickness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Convection Velocity ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
The Mean

Experiments were performed over a body of revolution at a length-based Reynolds number of 1.9 million. While the lateral curvature parameters are moderate ( $\delta /r_s < 2, r_s^+>500$ , where $\delta$ is the boundary layer thickness and r s is the radius of curvature), the pressure gradient is increasingly adverse ( $\beta _{C} \in [5 \text {--} 18]$ where $\beta_{C}$ is Clauser’s pressure gradient parameter), representative of vehicle-relevant conditions. The mean flow in the outer regions of this fully attached boundary layer displays some properties of a free-shear layer, with the mean-velocity and turbulence intensity profiles attaining self-similarity with the ‘embedded shear layer’ scaling (Schatzman & Thomas, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 815, 2017, pp. 592–642). Spectral analysis of the streamwise turbulence revealed that, as the mean flow decelerates, the large-scale motions energize across the boundary layer, growing proportionally with the boundary layer thickness. When scaled with the shear layer parameters, the distribution of the energy in the low-frequency region is approximately self-similar, emphasizing the role of the embedded shear layer in the large-scale motions. The correlation structure of the boundary layer is discussed at length to supply information towards the development of turbulence and aeroacoustic models. One major finding is that the estimation of integral turbulence length scales from single-point measurements, via Taylor's hypothesis, requires significant corrections to the convection velocity in the inner 50 % of the boundary layer. The apparent convection velocity (estimated from the ratio of integral length scale to the time scale), is approximately 40 % greater than the local mean velocity, suggesting the turbulence is convected much faster than previously thought. Closer to the wall even higher corrections are required.

Measurement of the Mean Flow Field in a Smooth Rotating Channel With Coriolis and Buoyancy Effects

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruquan You ◽  
Haiwang Li ◽  
Zhi Tao ◽  
Kuan Wei
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Coriolis Force ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
Buoyancy Force ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Static Conditions ◽  
Rotating Channel

The mean flow field in a smooth rotating channel was measured by particle image velocimetry under the effect of buoyancy force. In the experiments, the Reynolds number, based on the channel hydraulic diameter (D) and the bulk mean velocity (Um), is 10000, and the rotation numbers are 0, 0.13, 0.26, 0.39, 0.52, respectively. The four channel walls are heated with Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) heater glass, making the density ratio (d.r.) about 0.1 and the maximum value of buoyancy number up to 0.27. The mean flow field was simulated on a 3D reconstruction at the position of 3.5<X/D<6.5, where X is along the mean flow direction. The effect of Coriolis force and buoyancy force on the mean flow was taken into consideration in the current work. The results show that the Coriolis force pushes the mean flow to the trailing side, making the asymmetry of the mean flow with that in the static conditions. On the leading surface, due to the effect of buoyancy force, the mean flow field changes considerably. Comparing with the case without buoyancy force, separated flow was captured by PIV on the leading side in the case with buoyancy force. More details of the flow field will be presented in this work.

Fluctuating boundary layer on a magnetized plate

1967 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 513-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahib Singh Chawla
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Surface Current ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Wave Type ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Phase Lead ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The laminar boundary layer on a magnetized plate, when the magnetic field oscillates in magnitude about a constant non-zero mean, is analysed. For low-frequency fluctuations the solution is obtained by a series expansion in terms of a frequency parameter, while for high frequencies the flow pattern is of the ‘skin-wave’ type unaffected by the mean flow. In the low-frequency range, the phase lead and the amplitude of the skin-friction oscillations increase at first and then decrease to their respective ‘skin-wave’ values. On the other hand the phase angle of the surface current decreases from 90° to 45° and its amplitude increases with frequency.

Turbulent Wall-Pressure Fluctuations: A New Model for Off-Axis Cross-Spectral Density

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Singer
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Spectral Density ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Wall Pressure ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Cross Spectral Density ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cross

Models for the distribution of the wall-pressure under a turbulent boundary layer often estimate the coherence of the cross-spectral density in terms of a product of two coherence functions. One such function describes the coherence as a function of separation distance in the mean-flow direction, the other function describes the coherence in the cross-stream direction. Analysis of data from a large-eddy simulation of a turbulent boundary layer reveals that this approximation dramatically underpredicts the coherence for separation directions that are neither aligned with nor perpendicular to the mean-flow direction. These models fail even when the coherence functions in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the mean flow are known exactly. A new approach for combining the parallel and perpendicular coherence functions is presented. The new approach results in vastly improved approximations for the coherence.

Secondary instabilities of Görtler vortices in high-speed boundary layer flows

2015 ◽  
Vol 781 ◽  
pp. 388-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ren ◽  
Song Fu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Incompressible Flows ◽  
Hypersonic Flows ◽  
Type I ◽  
Görtler Vortices ◽  
Layer Mode ◽  
Threshold Amplitude ◽  
Gortler Vortices ◽  
Secondary Instabilities

Görtler vortices developed in laminar boundary layer experience remarkable changes when the flow is subjected to compressibility effects. In the present study, five $\mathit{Ma}$ numbers, covering incompressible to hypersonic flows, at $\mathit{Ma}=0.015$, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 are specified to illustrate these effects. Görtler vortices in subsonic and moderate supersonic flows ($\mathit{Ma}=0.015$, 1.5 and 3.0) are governed by the conventional wall-layer mode (mode W). In hypersonic flows ($\mathit{Ma}=4.5$, 6.0), the trapped-layer mode (mode T) becomes dominant. This difference is maintained and intensifies downstream leading to different scenarios of secondary instabilities. The linear and nonlinear development of Görtler vortices which are governed by dominant modal disturbances are investigated with direct marching of the nonlinear parabolic equations. The secondary instabilities of Görtler vortices set in when the resulting streaks are adequately developed. They are studied with Floquet theory at multiple streamwise locations. The secondary perturbations become unstable downstream following the sequence of sinuous mode type I, varicose mode and sinuous mode type II, indicating an increasing threshold amplitude. Onset conditions are determined for these modes. The above three modes can each have the largest growth rate under the right conditions. In the hypersonic cases, the threshold amplitude $A(u)$ is dramatically reduced, showing the significant impact of the thermal streaks. To investigate the parametric effect of the spanwise wavenumber, three global wavenumbers ($B=0.5$, 1.0 and $2.0\times 10^{-3}$) are specified. The relationship between the dominant mode (sinuous or varicose) and the spanwise wavenumber of Görtler vortices found in incompressible flows (Li & Malik, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 297, 1995, pp. 77–100) is shown to be not fully applicable in high-speed cases. The sinuous mode becomes the most dangerous, regardless of the spanwise wavelength when $\mathit{Ma}>3.0$. The subharmonic type can be the most dangerous mode while the detuned type can be neglected, although some of the sub-dominant secondary modes reach their peak growth rates under detuned states.

M. J. Hartmann Memorial Session Paper: Turbulence Characteristics in a Supersonic Cascade Wake Flow

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 586-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Andrew ◽  
Wing-fai Ng
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Incidence Angle ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
State University ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Supersonic Wake

The turbulent character of the supersonic wake of a linear cascade of fan airfoils has been studied using a two-component laser-doppler anemometer. The cascade was tested in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University intermittent wind tunnel facility, where the Mach and Reynolds numbers were 2.36 and 4.8 × 106, respectively. In addition to mean flow measurements, Reynolds normal and shear stresses were measured as functions of cascade incidence angle and streamwise locations spanning the near-wake and the far-wake. The extremities of profiles of both the mean and turbulent wake properties´ were found to be strongly influenced by upstream shock-boundary -layer interactions, the strength of which varied with cascade incidence. In contrast, the peak levels of turbulence properties within the shear layer were found to be largely independent of incidence, and could be characterized in terms of the streamwise position only. The velocity defect turbulence level was found to be 23 percent, and the generally accepted value of the turbulence structural coefficient of 0.30 was found to be valid for this flow. The degree of similarity of the mean flow wake profiles was established, and those profiles demonstrating the most similarity were found to approach a state of equilibrium between the mean and turbulent properties. In general, this wake flow may be described as a classical free shear flow, upon which the influence of upstream shock-boundary-layer interactions has been superimposed.

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