scholarly journals Scaling of separated shear layers: an investigation of mass entrainment

2017 ◽  
Vol 826 ◽  
pp. 851-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Stella ◽  
Nicolas Mazellier ◽  
Azeddine Kourta

We report an experimental investigation of the separating/reattaching flow over a descending ramp with a $25^{\circ }$ expansion angle. Emphasis is given to mass entrainment through the boundaries of the separated shear layer emanating from the upper edge of the ramp. For this purpose, the turbulent/non-turbulent interface and the separation line inferred from image-based analysis are used respectively to mark the upper and lower bounds of the separated shear layer. The main objective of this study is to identify the physical parameters that scale the development of the separated shear layer, by giving a specific emphasis to the investigation of mass entrainment. Our results emphasise the multiscale nature of mass entrainment through the separated shear layer. The recirculation length $L_{R}$, step height $h$ and free-stream velocity $U_{\infty }$ are the dominant scales that organise the separated flow (and related large-scale quantities as pressure distribution or shear layer growth rate) and set mean mass fluxes. However, local viscous mechanisms seem to be responsible for most of local mass entrainment. Furthermore, it is shown that large-scale mass entrainment is driven by incoming boundary layer properties, since $L_{R}$ scales with $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}}$, and in particular by its turbulent state. Surprisingly, the relationships evidenced in this study suggest that these dependencies are established over a large distance upstream of separation and that they might also extend to small scales, at which viscous entrainment is dominant. If confirmed by additional studies, our findings would open new perspectives for designing effective separation control systems.

1992 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 73-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Z. Hasan

The flow over a backward-facing step with laminar separation was investigated experimentally under controlled perturbation for a Reynolds number of 11000, based on a step height h and a free-stream velocity UO. The reattaching shear layer was found to have two distinct modes of instability: the ‘shear layer mode’ of instability at Stθ ≈ 0.012 (Stθ ≡ fθ/UO, θ being the momentum thickness at separation and f the natural roll-up frequency of the shear layer); and the ‘step mode’ of instability at Sth ≈ 0.185 (Sth ≡ fh/U0). The shear layer instability frequency reduced to the step mode one via one or more stages of a vortex merging process. The perturbation increased the shear layer growth rate and the turbulence intensity and decreased the reattachment length compared to the unperturbed flow. Cross-stream measurements of the amplitudes of the perturbed frequency and its harmonics suggested the splitting of the shear layer. Flow visualization confirmed the shear layer splitting and showed the existence of a low-frequency flapping of the shear layer.


Author(s):  
Lei Wang ◽  
Mirko Salewski ◽  
Bengt Sunde´n

Vortical motions, usually called sinews and muscles of fluid motions, constitute important features of turbulent flows and form the base for large-scale transport processes. In this study, we present a variety of flow decomposition techniques to identify and analyze the vortical structures in a ribbed channel. To this end, the instantaneous velocity fields are measured by means of a two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV). Firstly, the implementation of Galilean-, Reynolds- and large-eddy simulation (LES) decompositions on the instantaneous flow fields allows one to perceive the coherent vortices embedded in the separated shear layer. In addition, the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is employed to extract the underlying flow features out of the fluctuating velocity and vorticity fields, respectively. For velocity-based decomposition, the first two POD modes show that the shear layer is highly unstable and associated with the ‘flapping’ motion. For vorticity-based decomposition, the first two POD modes are characterized by the distinct horizontal bands which manifest the coherent structures in the shear layer. In order to interpret the flow structures in a convenient way, a linear combination of POD modes (reconstruction) is also carried out in the present study. The result shows that a large-scale, pronounced vortex is recognizable in the region downstream of rib.


2011 ◽  
Vol 679 ◽  
pp. 263-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
IVETTE RODRIGUEZ ◽  
RICARD BORELL ◽  
ORIOL LEHMKUHL ◽  
CARLOS D. PEREZ SEGARRA ◽  
ASSENSI OLIVA

The direct numerical simulation of the flow over a sphere is performed. The computations are carried out in the sub-critical regime at Re = 3700 (based on the free-stream velocity and the sphere diameter). A parallel unstructured symmetry-preserving formulation is used for simulating the flow. At this Reynolds number, flow separates laminarly near the equator of the sphere and transition to turbulence occurs in the separated shear layer. The vortices formed are shed at a large-scale frequency, St = 0.215, and at random azimuthal locations in the shear layer, giving a helical-like appearance to the wake. The main features of the flow including the power spectra of a set of selected monitoring probes at different positions in the wake of the sphere are described and discussed in detail. In addition, a large number of turbulence statistics are computed and compared with previous experimental and numerical data at comparable Reynolds numbers. Particular attention is devoted to assessing the prediction of the mean flow parameters, such as wall-pressure distribution, skin friction, drag coefficient, among others, in order to provide reliable data for testing and developing statistical turbulence models. In addition to the presented results, the capability of the methodology used on unstructured grids for accurately solving flows in complex geometries is also pointed out.


2016 ◽  
Vol 800 ◽  
pp. 387-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Unnikrishnan ◽  
Datta V. Gaitonde

Large-eddy simulation data for a Mach 1.3 round jet are decomposed into acoustic, hydrodynamic and thermal components using Doak’s momentum potential theory. The decomposed fields are then analysed to examine the properties of each mode and their dynamics based on the transport equation for the total fluctuating enthalpy. The solenoidal fluctuations highlight hydrodynamic components of the jet and capture the shear layer growth and breakdown process. The acoustic mode exhibits a jittering coherent wavepacket structure in the turbulent region and consequent highly directional downstream radiation. The expected radial decay rates, $r^{-6}$ for hydrodynamic and $r^{-2}$ for acoustic, are recovered and closely follow the universal radiation spectra in the sideline and downstream directions. The scalogram of the acoustic mode in the near-acoustic-field region is consistent with that of the pressure perturbation signal in the acoustic-frequency range, but effectively removes the hydrodynamic and thermal content. The time-resolved and mean behaviour of terms in the total fluctuating enthalpy equation is analysed in detail. A large-scale intermittent event in the near-acoustic field is shown to be associated with an intrusion of vortices from the shear layer into the core of the jet. Acoustic sources are created when the resulting negative fluctuations in the solenoidal component interact with positive fluctuations in the Coriolis acceleration term. The latter are associated with regions of high vorticity on the inner side of the shear layer. In contrast, sinks result from the interaction of solenoidal momentum fluctuations with positive entropy gradients along entrainment streaks.


Author(s):  
B. R. McAuliffe ◽  
M. I. Yaras

Through numerical simulations, this paper examines the nature of instability mechanisms leading to transition in separation bubbles. The results of two direct numerical simulations are presented in which separation of a laminar boundary layer occurs over a flat surface in the presence of an adverse pressure gradient. The primary difference in the flow conditions between the two simulations is the level of freestream turbulence with intensities of 0.1% and 1.45% at separation. In the first part of the paper, transition under a low-disturbance environment is examined, and the development of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the separated shear layer is compared to the well-established instability characteristics of free shear layers. The study examines the role of the velocity-profile shape on the instability characteristics and the nature of the large-scale vortical structures shed downstream of the bubble. The second part of the paper examines transition in a high-disturbance environment, where the above-mentioned mechanism is bypassed as a result of elevated freestream turbulence. Filtering of the freestream turbulence into the laminar boundary layer results in streamwise streaks which provide conditions under which turbulent spots are produced in the separated shear layer, grow, and then merge to form a turbulent boundary layer. The results allow identification of the structure of the instability mechanism and the characteristic structure of the resultant turbulent spots. Recovery of the reattached turbulent boundary layer is then examined for both cases. The large-scale flow structures associated with transition are noted to remain coherent far downstream of reattachment, delaying recovery of the turbulent boundary layer to an equilibrium state.


2007 ◽  
Vol 591 ◽  
pp. 215-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCK SIMON ◽  
SEBASTIEN DECK ◽  
PHILIPPE GUILLEN ◽  
PIERRE SAGAUT ◽  
ALAIN MERLEN

Numerical simulation of a compressible mixing layer past an axisymmetric trailing edge is carried out for a Reynolds number based on the diameter of the trailing edge approximately equal to 2.9 × 106. The free-stream Mach number at separation is equal to 2.46, which corresponds to experiments and leads to high levels of compressibility. The present work focuses on the evolution of the turbulence field through extra strain rates and on the unsteady features of the annular shear layer. Both time-averaged and instantaneous data are used to obtain further insight into the dynamics of the flow. An investigation of the time-averaged flow field reveals an important shear-layer growth rate in its initial stage and a strong anisotropy of the turbulent field. The convection velocity of the vortices is found to be somewhat higher than the estimated isentropic value. This corroborates findings on the domination of the supersonic mode in planar supersonic/subsonic mixing layers. The development of the shear layer leads to a rapid decrease of the anisotropy until the onset of streamline realignment with the axis. Due to the increase of the axisymmetric constraints, an adverse pressure gradient originates from the change in streamline curvature. This recompression is found to slow down the eddy convection. The foot shock pattern features several convected shocks emanating from the upper side of the vortices, which merge into a recompression shock in the free stream. Then, the flow accelerates and the compressibility levels quickly drop in the turbulent developing wake. Some evidence of the existence of large-scale structures in the near wake is found through the domination of the azimuthal mode m = 1 for a Strouhal number based on trailing-edge diameter equal to 0.26.


2018 ◽  
Vol 848 ◽  
pp. 154-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Estruch-Samper ◽  
Gaurav Chandola

This paper presents an experimental study on shock-wave/turbulent-boundary-layer interaction unsteadiness and delves specifically into the shear layer’s role. A range of axisymmetric step-induced interactions is investigated and the scale of separation is altered by over an order of magnitude – mass in the recirculation by two orders – while subjected to constant separation-shock strength. The effect of the separated shear layer on interaction unsteadiness is thus isolated and its kinematics are characterised. Results point at a mechanism whereby the depletion of separated flow is dictated by the state of the large eddy structures at their departure from the bubble. Low-frequency pulsations are found to adjust in response and sustain a reconciling view of an entrainment–recharge process, with both an inherent effect of the upstream boundary layer on shear layer inception and an increase in the mass locally acquired by eddies as they develop downstream.


1987 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 439-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. P. Castro ◽  
A. Haque

Detailed measurements within the separated shear layer behind a flat plate normal to an airflow are reported. A long, central splitter plate in the wake prevented vortex shedding and led to an extensive region of separated flow with mean reattachment some ten plate heights downstream. The Reynolds number based on plate height was in excess of 2 × 1044.Extensive use of pulsed-wire anemometry allowed measurements of all the Reynolds stresses throughout the flow, along with some velocity autocorrelations and integral timescale data. The latter help to substantiate the results of other workers obtained in separated flows of related geometry, particularly in the identification of a very low-frequency motion with a timescale much longer than that associated with the large eddies in the shear layer. Wall-skin-friction measurements are consistent with the few similar data previously published and indicate that the thin boundary layer developing beneath the separated region has some ‘laminar-like’ features.The Reynolds-stress measurements demonstrate that the turbulence structure of the separated shear layer differs from that of a plane mixing layer between two streams in a number of ways. In particular, the normal stresses all rise monotonically as reattachment is approached, are always considerably higher than the plane layer values and develop in quite different ways. Flow similarity is not a useful concept. A major conclusion is that any effects of stabilizing streamline curvature are weak compared with the effects of the re-entrainment at the low-velocity edge of the shear layer of turbulent fluid returned around reattachment. It is argued that the general features of the flow are likely to be similar to those that occur in a wide range of complex turbulent flows dominated by a shear layer bounding a large-scale recirculating region.


Author(s):  
K. Anand ◽  
S. Sarkar ◽  
N. Thilakan

The behaviour of a separated shear layer past a semi-circular leading edge flat plate, its transition and reattachment downstream to separation are investigated for different imposed pressure gradients. The experiments are carried out in a blowing tunnel for a Reynolds number of 2.44×105 (based on chord and free-stream velocity). The mean flow characteristics and the instantaneous vector field are documented using a two-component LDA and a planar PIV, whereas, surface pressures are measured with Electronically scanned pressure (ESP). The onset of separation occurs near the blend point for all values of β (flap angle deflection), however, a considerable shift is noticed in the point of reattachment. The dimensions of the separation bubble is highly susceptible to β and plays an important role in the activity of the outer shear layer. Instantaneous results from PIV show a significant unsteadiness in the shear layer at about 30% of the bubble length, which is further amplified in the second half of the bubble leading to three-dimensional motions. The reverse flow velocity is higher for a favourable pressure gradient (β = +30°) and is found to be 21% of the free stream velocity. The Reynolds number calculated based on ll (laminar shear layer length), falls in the range of 0.9×104 to 1.4×104. The numerical values concerning the criterion for separation and reattachment agree well with the available literature.


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