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Turbulent spots in the asymptotic suction boundary layer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2007

ORI LEVIN  and
DAN S. HENNINGSON
ORI LEVIN
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
DAN S. HENNINGSON
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract

Amplitude thresholds for transition of localized disturbances, their breakdown to turbulence and the development of turbulent spots in the asymptotic suction boundary layer are studied using direct numerical simulations. A parametric study of the horizontal scales of the initial disturbance is performed and the disturbances that lead to the highest growth under the conditions investigated are used in the simulations. The Reynolds-number dependence of the threshold amplitude of a localized disturbance is investigated for 500≤ Re ≤ 1200, based on the free-stream velocity and the displacement thickness. It is found that the threshold amplitude scales as Re−1.5 for the considered Reynolds numbers. For Re ≤ 367, the localized disturbance does not lead to a turbulent spot and this provides an estimate of the critical Reynolds number for the onset of turbulence. When the localized disturbance breaks down to a turbulent spot, it happens through the development of hairpin and spiral vortices. The shape and spreading rate of the turbulent spot are determined for Re = 500, 800 and 1200. Flow visualizations reveal that the turbulent spot takes a bullet-shaped form that becomes more distinct for higher Reynolds numbers. Long streaks extend in front of the spot and in its wake a calm region exists. The spreading rate of the turbulent spot is found to increase with increasing Reynolds number.

Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 584 , 10 August 2007 , pp. 397 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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