Non-stationary cross-flow vortices in three-dimensional boundary-layer flows

The upper-branch neutral stability of three-dimensional disturbances imposed on a three-dimensional boundary-layer profile is considered and in particular we investigate non-stationary cross-flow vortices. The wave speed is taken to be small initially and with a disturbance structure analogous to that occurring in two-dimensional boundary-layer stability the linear and nonlinear eigenrelations are derived for profiles with more than one critical layer. For the flow due to a rotating disc we show that linear viscous neutral modes exist for all wave angles between 10.6° and 39.6°. As the extremes of this range are approached the flow structure evolves to another, either the viscous mode of Hall ( Proc. R. Soc. Lond . A 406, 93(1986)) or the non-stationary inviscid modes considered by Stuart in Gregory et al . ( Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond . A 248, 155 (1955)). In the former case, corresponding to wave angles of 39.6°, the waves become almost stationary and in the latter case, with wave angles of 10.6° the waves are travelling much faster with a disturbance structure based on the Rayleigh scalings. The analysis is extended to include O (1) wavespeeds and we show that as the wavespeed of the cross-flow vortex approaches the tree-stream value, the corresponding disturbance amplitude increases, the growth here being slower than that for two-dimensional boundary layers.

Author(s):  
S.N Brown ◽  
F.T Smith

A theoretical model of the laminar ‘calmed region’ following a three-dimensional turbulent spot within a transitioning two-dimensional boundary layer is formulated and discussed. The flow is taken to be inviscid, and the perturbation mean flow surface streamlines calculated represent disturbances to the basic slip velocity. Available experimental evidence shows a fuller, more stable, streamwise profile in a considerable region trailing the spot, with cross-flow ‘inwash’ towards the line of symmetry. Present results are in qualitative agreement with this evidence.


There exist two types of stationary instability of the flow over a rotating disc corresponding to the upper, inviscid mode and the lower-branch mode, which has a triple-deck structure, of the neutral stability curve. The linear problem has been investigated by P. Hall ( Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 406, 93-106 (1986)) and the asymptotic structure of the wavenumber and orientation of these modes has been obtained. Here, a nonlinear investigation of high Reynolds number, stationary instabilities in the three-dimensional boundary layer on a rotating disc is given for the lower branch mode. By considering nonlinear effects and following the framework set up by Hall, asymptotic solutions are obtained that enable the finite amplitude growth of a disturbance close to the neutral location to be described.


2021 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia S. Brennan ◽  
Jitesh S. B. Gajjar ◽  
Richard E. Hewitt

AbstractTwo-dimensional boundary layer flows in quiet disturbance environments are known to become unstable to Tollmien–Schlichting waves. The experimental work of Liepmann et al. (J Fluid Mech 118:187–200, 1982), Liepmann and Nosenchuck (J Fluid Mech 118:201–204, 1982) showed how it is possible to control and reduce unstable Tollmien–Schlichting wave amplitudes using unsteady surface heating. We consider the problem of an oncoming planar compressible subsonic boundary layer flow with a three-dimensional vibrator mounted on a flat plate, and with surface heating present. It is shown using asymptotic methods based on triple-deck theory that it is possible to choose an unsteady surface heating distribution to cancel out the response due to the vibrator. An approximation based on the exact formula is used successfully in numerical computations to confirm the findings. The results presented here are a generalisation of the analogous results for the two-dimensional problem in Brennan et al. (J Fluid Mech 909:A16-1, 2020).


2002 ◽  
Vol 468 ◽  
pp. 121-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. HEWITT ◽  
P. W. DUCK ◽  
S. R. STOW

We consider a class of three-dimensional boundary-layer flows, which may be viewed as an extension of the Falkner–Skan similarity form, to include a cross-flow velocity component, about a plane of symmetry. In general, this provides a range of three- dimensional boundary-layer solutions, parameterized by a Falkner–Skan similarity parameter, n, together with a further parameter, Ψ∞, which is associated with a cross-flow velocity component in the external flow. In this work two particular cases are of special interest: for n = 0 the similarity equations possess a family of solutions related to the Blasius boundary layer; for n = 1 the similarity solution provides an exact reduction of the Navier–Stokes equations corresponding to the flow near a saddle point of attachment. It is known from the work of Davey (1961) that in this latter class of flow, a continuum of solutions can be found. The continuum arises (in general) because it is possible to find states with an algebraic, rather than exponential, behaviour in the far field. In this work we provide a detailed overview of the continuum states, and show that a discrete infinity of ‘exponential modes’ are smoothly embedded within the ‘algebraic modes’ of the continuum. At a critical value of the cross-flow, these exponential modes appear as a cascade of eigensolutions to the far-field equations, which arise in a manner analogous to the energy eigenstates found in quantum mechanical problems described by the Schrödinger equation.The presence of a discrete infinity of exponential modes is shown to be a generic property of the similarity equations derived for a general n. Furthermore, we show that there may also exist non-uniqueness of the continuum; that is, more than one continuum of states can exist, that are isolated for fixed n and Ψ∞, but which are connected through an unfolded transcritical bifurcation at a critical value of the cross-flow parameter, Ψ∞.The multiplicity of states raises the question of solution selection, which is addressed using two stability analyses that assume the same basic symmetry properties as the base flow. In one case we consider a steady, algebraic form in the ‘streamwise’ direction, whilst in the other a temporal form is assumed. In both cases it is possible to extend the analysis to consider a continuous spectrum of disturbances that decay algebraically in the wall-normal direction. We note some obvious parallels that exist between such stability analyses and the approach to the continua of states described earlier in the paper.We also discuss the appearance of analogous non-unique states to the Falkner–Skan equation in the presence of an adverse pressure gradient (i.e. n < 0) in an appendix.


1985 ◽  
Vol 150 ◽  
pp. 329-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. I. A. Poll

An experiment has been performed to determine the effect of yaw upon transition in the boundary layer formed on the windward face of a long cylinder. The china-clay-evaporation and surface-oil-flow techniques have been used to study the development of the fixed-wavelength stationary disturbances which are characteristic of cross-flow instability. It has been found that the boundary layer is also susceptible to time-dependent disturbances which grow to very large amplitudes prior to the onset of transition. These disturbances have been studied with a hot-wire anemometer. The conditions necessary for the onset and completion of transition have been determined by the use of surface Pitot tubes. Data from the experiment have been compared with the simple criteria for instability and transition which were proposed by Owen & Randall over thirty years ago. In general it has been found that these criteria are inadequate, and, where possible, improvements have been proposed. The raw data are presented in sufficient detail for them to be used to test, or calibrate, future theoretical models of the transition process in three-dimensional boundary-layer flows.


1973 ◽  
Vol 95 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Wheeler ◽  
J. P. Johnston

Predictions have been made for a variety of experimental three-dimensional boundary layer flows with a single finite difference method which was used with three different turbulent stress models: (i) an eddy viscosity model, (ii) the “Nash” model, and (iii) the “Bradshaw” model. For many purposes, even the simplest stress model (eddy viscosity) was adequate to predict the mean velocity field. On the other hand, the profile of shear stress direction was not correctly predicted in one case by any model tested. The high sensitivity of the predicted results to free stream pressure gradient in separating flow cases is demonstrated.


1970 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Libby ◽  
Karl K. Chen

A three-dimensional boundary layer developing along a semi-infinite swept stagnation line from a starting edge and evolving into that associated with such a line of infinite extent is calculated. A series solution useful for assessing the counteracting effects of cross-flow and mass transfer near the starting edge and for providing initial data for a subsequent streamwise, numerical solution is developed. The asymptotic behaviour far from the starting edge is examined and shown to involve only eigenfunction contributions associated with the far upstream flow. However, it is not presently possible to determine the relevant eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Numerical solutions based on a difference-differential analysis yield the entire development of the boundary layer and indicate the streamwise length required for the case of the boundary layer at an infinite stagnation line to be obtained.


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