Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence and Adverse Pressure Gradients on Boundary Layer Transition

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gostelow ◽  
A. R. Blunden ◽  
G. J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Exponential Decrease ◽  
Transition Length ◽  
Spot Formation

Boundary layer measurements are presented through transition for six different free-stream turbulence levels and a complete range of adverse pressure gradients for attached laminar flow. Measured intermittency distributions provide an excellent similarity basis for characterizing the transition process under all conditions tested when the Narasimha procedure for determining transition inception is used. This inception location procedure brings consistency to the data. Velocity profiles and integral parameters are influenced by turbulence level and pressure gradient and do not provide a consistent basis. Under strong adverse pressure gradients transition occurs rapidly and the velocity profile has not fully responded before the completion of transition. The starting turbulent layer does not attain an equilibrium velocity profile. A change in pressure gradient from zero to even a modest adverse level is accompanied by a severe reduction in transition length. Under diffusing conditions the physics of the transition process changes and the spot formation rate increases rapidly; instead of the “breakdown in sets” regime experienced in the absence of a pressure gradient, transition under strong adverse pressure gradients is more related to the amplification and subsequent instability of the Tollmien-Schlichting waves. Measurements reveal an exponential decrease in transition length with increasing adverse pressure gradient; a less severe exponential decrease is experienced with increasing turbulence level. Correlations of transition length are provided that facilitate its prediction in the form of suitable length parameters including spot formation rate.

scholarly journals Effects of Free-Stream Turbulence and Adverse Pressure Gradients on Boundary Layer Transition

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gostelow ◽  
A. R. Blunden ◽  
G. J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Exponential Decrease ◽  
Transition Length ◽  
Spot Formation

Boundary layer measurements are presented through transition for six different free-stream turbulence levels and a complete range of adverse pressure gradients for attached laminar flow. Measured intermittency distributions provide an excellent similarity basis for characterizing the transition process under all conditions tested when the Narasimha procedure for determining transition inception is used. This inception location procedure brings consistency to the data. Velocity profiles and integral parameters are influenced by turbulence level and pressure gradient and do not provide a consistent basis. Under strong adverse pressure gradients transition occurs rapidly and the velocity profile has not fully responded before the completion of transition. The starting turbulent layer does not attain an equilibrium velocity profile. A change in pressure gradient from zero to even a modest adverse level is accompanied by a severe reduction in transition length. Under diffusing conditions the physics of the transition process changes and the spot formation rate increases rapidly; instead of the “breakdown in sets” regime experienced in the absence of a pressure gradient, transition under strong adverse pressure gradients is more related to the amplification and subsequent instability of the Tollmien-Schlichting waves. Measurements reveal an exponential decrease in transition length with increasing adverse pressure gradient; a less severe exponential decrease is experienced with increasing turbulence level. Correlations of transition length are provided which facilitate its prediction in the form of suitable length parameters including spot formation rate.

Evaluation of Turbulent Spot Production Rate in Boundary Layers Under Variable Pressure Gradients for Gas Turbine Applications

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dellacasagrande ◽  
D. Lengani ◽  
D. Simoni ◽  
M. Ubaldi ◽  
P. Zunino
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Flow Parameters ◽  
Transition Length

Abstract The paper presents an experimental data base on transitional boundary layers developing on a flat plate installed within a variable area opening endwall channel. Measurements have been carried out by means of time-resolved PIV. The overall test matrix spans 3 Reynolds numbers, 4 free-stream turbulence intensity levels and 4 different flow adverse pressure gradients. For each condition, 16000 instantaneous flow fields have been acquired in order to obtain high statistical accuracy. The flow parameters have been varied in order to provide a gradual shift of the mode of transition from a bypass process occurring with mild adverse pressure gradients at high free-stream turbulence, to separated flow transition, occurring with low Reynolds number, low free-stream turbulence intensity and elevated adverse pressure gradient. In order to quantify the influence of the flow parameter variation on the boundary layer transition process, the transition onset and end positions, and the turbulent spot production rate have been evaluated with a wavelet based intermittency detection technique. This post-processing technique is in fact able to identify the vortical structures developing within the boundary layer, the intermittency function is then automatically evaluated for each tested condition counting the number of such structures and defining the cumulative probability function. The by-pass transition mode has the longest transition length that decreases with increasing the Reynolds number. The transition length of the separated flow case is smaller than the by-pass one, and the variation of the flow parameters has a similar impact. Similarly, the dimensionless turbulent spot production rate reduces when the Reynolds number is increasing. The variation of the inlet turbulence intensity has a small influence on this parameter except for the condition at the highest turbulence intensity, that always shows the lowest turbulent spot production rate because a by-pass type transition occurs. This large amount of data has been used to develop new correlations used to predict the spot production rate and the transition length in attached and separated flows.

Measurements and Prediction of Free-Stream Turbulence and Pressure-Gradient Effects on Attached-Flow Boundary-Layer Transition

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Roberts ◽  
M. I. Yaras
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Flow Reynolds Number ◽  
Attached Flow ◽  
Transition Length

This paper presents measurements of free-stream turbulence, streamwise pressure gradients and flow Reynolds number effects on attached-flow transition. The measurements were performed on a flat plate, at free-stream turbulence intensities ranging from 0.5% to 9.0%, four Reynolds numbers, and several streamwise pressure distributions, including ones that are typical of the suction side pressures of axial turbine blades. Based on the results, the extent of upstream movement of transition location with free-stream turbulence, the changes in transition length with variations in the streamwise pressure gradients, and the sensitivity of these trends to flow Reynolds number are quantified. Interpretation of the measurements is based primarily on streamwise and cross-stream intermittency distributions extracted from the velocity traces of hot-wire traverses. The measured transition inception locations and transition lengths are used to evaluate mathematical models available in the published literature. A modification is proposed to a transition length model to improve the prediction of the streamwise intermittency distribution.

Effects of Adverse Pressure Gradients on the Nature and Length of Boundary Layer Transition

1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Walker ◽  
J. P. Gostelow
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Basic Mechanism ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Instability Waves ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Transition Length ◽  
Tollmien Schlichting

Existing transition models are surveyed and deficiencies in previous predictions, which seriously overestimate transition length under an adverse pressure gradient, are discussed. A new model for transition in an adverse pressure gradient situation is proposed and experimental results are provided that confirm its validity. A correlation for transition length is advanced that incorporates both Reynolds number and pressure gradient effects. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions the basic mechanism of transition is laminar instability. There are, however, physical differences between zero and adverse pressure gradients. In the former case, transition occurs randomly, due to the breakdown of laminar instability waves in sets. For an adverse pressure gradient, the Tollmien–Schlichting waves appear more regularly with a well-defined spectral peak. As the adverse pressure gradient is increased from zero to the separation value the flow evolves continuously from random to periodic behavior and the dimensionless transition length progressively decreases.

scholarly journals Effects of Elevated Free-Stream Turbulence on Flow and Thermal Structures in Transitional Boundary Layers

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dadong Zhou ◽  
Ting Wang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Thermal Structures ◽  
Transition Length

The effects of elevated free-stream turbulence on flow and thermal structures in transitional boundary layers were investigated experimentally on a heated flat plate. Detailed boundary layer measurements using a three-wire probe and wall heat transfer were made with free-stream turbulence intensities of 0.5, 3.8, 5.5 and 6.4 percent respectively. The onset of transition, transition length and the turbulent spot formation rate were determined. The statistical results of the streamwise and cross-stream velocity fluctuations, temperature fluctuation, Reynolds stresses and Reynolds heat fluxes were presented. The eddy viscosity, turbulent thermal diffusivity and the turbulent Prandtl number were calculated and related physical mechanisms are discussed.

Numerical investigation of transition in a boundary layer subjected to favourable and adverse streamwise pressure gradients and elevated free stream turbulence

2015 ◽  
Vol 781 ◽  
pp. 52-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua R. Brinkerhoff ◽  
Metin I. Yaras
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Large Strain ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Secondary Instability ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Laminar-to-turbulent transition of a boundary layer subjected to streamwise pressure gradients and elevated free stream turbulence is computed through direct numerical simulation. The streamwise pressure distribution and elevated free stream turbulence levels mimic the conditions present on the suction side of highly-cambered airfoils. Longitudinal streamwise streaks form in the laminar boundary layer through the selective inclusion of low-frequency disturbances from the free stream turbulence. The spanwise spacing normalized by local inner variables indicates stabilization of the streaks occurs by the favourable pressure gradient and prevents the development of secondary streak instability modes until downstream of the suction peak. Two distinct processes are found to trigger transition to turbulence in the adverse pressure gradient region of the flow. One involves the development of varicose secondary instability of individual low-speed streaks that results in their breakdown and the formation and growth of discrete turbulent spots. The other involves a rapid amplification of free stream disturbances in the inflectional boundary layer in the adverse pressure gradient region that results in a largely homogeneous breakdown to turbulence across the span. The effect of high-frequency free stream disturbances on the streak secondary instability and on the nonlinear processes within the growing turbulent spot are analysed through the inviscid transport of instantaneous vorticity. The results suggest that free stream turbulence contributes to the growth of the turbulent spot by generating large strain rates that activate vortex-stretching and tilting processes within the spot.

Investigations of Boundary Layer Transition in an Adverse Pressure Gradient

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Gostelow ◽  
A. R. Blunden
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Spot Formation

Boundary layer transition was measured on a flat plate for four different turbulence levels. A range of adverse pressure gradients was imposed for one of these. The zero pressure gradient results were in agreement with accepted data for transition inception, length, and turbulent spot formation rate. They were also well represented by Narasimha’s universal intermittency distribution. A surprisingly strong similarity was also exhibited by intermittency distributions under adverse pressure gradients. Dimensionless velocity profiles were reasonable for the zero pressure gradient cases but difficulties with skin-friction prediction were experienced under adverse pressure gradient conditions. For this moderate turbulence level the transition inception Reynolds number remained reasonably constant with pressure gradient. Transition lengths, however, were greatly reduced by the imposition of even a weak adverse pressure gradient. This was associated with a strong increase in turbulent spot formation rate.

Effects of Elevated Free-Stream Turbulence on Flow and Thermal Structures in Transitional Boundary Layers

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zhou ◽  
T. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Thermal Structures ◽  
Transition Length

The effects of elevated free-stream turbulence on flow and thermal structures in transitional boundary layers were investigated experimentally on a heated flat plate. Detailed boundary layer measurements using a three-wire probe and wall heat transfer were made with free-stream turbulence intensities of 0.5, 3.8, 5.5, and 6.4 percent, respectively. The onset of transition, transition length, and the turbulent spot formation rate were determined. The statistical results of the streamwise and cross-stream velocity fluctuations, temperature fluctuation, Reynolds stresses, and Reynolds heat fluxes were presented. The eddy viscosity, turbulent thermal diffusivity, and the turbulent Prandtl number were calculated and related physical mechanisms are discussed.

The Role of Laminar-Turbulent Transition in Gas Turbine Engines: A Discussion

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbine Engines ◽  
Critical Study ◽  
Gas Turbine Engines ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Turbulent Transition ◽  
Transition Length

An extended discussion of Mayle’s (1991) critical study of transition phenomena in gas turbine engines is presented. Attention is focused on transition in decelerating flow regions, which are the major sources of loss production for axial turbomachine blades. The following points are examined in detail: (a) the physics of transition and its implications for the correlation of various transition phenomena; (b) the relative importance of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence in controlling transition; (c) the influence of pressure gradient on periodic-unsteady transition; (d) the correlation of transition length under conditions of arbitrary pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence level; and (e) transition behavior in laminar separation bubbles. The discussion examines various differences in philosophy concerning the above phenomena and makes further suggestions for transition research, which may assist in resolving the issues raised.

scholarly journals The Role of Laminar-Turbulent Transition in Gas Turbine Engines: A Discussion

1992 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbine Engines ◽  
Critical Study ◽  
Gas Turbine Engines ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Turbulent Transition ◽  
Transition Length

An extended discussion of Mayle’s (1991) critical study of transition phenomena in gas turbine engines is presented. Attention is focussed on transition in decelerating flow regions which are the major sources of loss production for axial turbomachine blades. The following points are examined in detail: (a) the physics of transition and its implications for the correlation of various transition phenomena; (b) the relative importance of pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence in controlling transition; (c) the influence of pressure gradient on periodic-unsteady transition; (d) the correlation of transition length under conditions of arbitrary pressure gradient and free-stream turbulence level; and (e) transition behavior in laminar separation bubbles. The discussion examines various differences in philosophy concerning the above phenomena and corrects some areas of misinterpretation in the subject review paper. It concludes with further suggestions for transition research which may assist in resolving the issues raised.

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