Three-dimensional instability of the shear layer over a circular cylinder

1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3250-3257 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mihailovic ◽  
T. C. Corke
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dimensional Instability

Three-dimensional instabilities in the boundary-layer flow over a long rectangular plate

2011 ◽  
Vol 681 ◽  
pp. 411-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEMANT K. CHAURASIA ◽  
MARK C. THOMPSON
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Vortical Flow ◽  
Forced Flow ◽  
Recirculation Region ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Optimal Perturbation ◽  
Dimensional Instability

A detailed numerical study of the separating and reattaching flow over a square leading-edge plate is presented, examining the instability modes governing transition from two- to three-dimensional flow. Under the influence of background noise, experiments show that the transition scenario typically is incompletely described by either global stability analysis or the transient growth of dominant optimal perturbation modes. Instead two-dimensional transition effectively can be triggered by the convective Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) shear-layer instability; although it may be possible that this could be described alternatively in terms of higher-order optimal perturbation modes. At least in some experiments, observed transition occurs by either: (i) KH vortices shedding downstream directly and then almost immediately undergoing three-dimensional transition or (ii) at higher Reynolds numbers, larger vortical structures are shed that are also three-dimensionally unstable. These two paths lead to distinctly different three-dimensional arrangements of vortical flow structures. This paper focuses on the mechanisms underlying these three-dimensional transitions. Floquet analysis of weakly periodically forced flow, mimicking the observed two-dimensional quasi-periodic base flow, indicates that the two-dimensional vortex rollers shed from the recirculation region become globally three-dimensionally unstable at a Reynolds number of approximately 380. This transition Reynolds number and the predicted wavelength and flow symmetries match well with those of the experiments. The instability appears to be elliptical in nature with the perturbation field mainly restricted to the cores of the shed rollers and showing the spatial vorticity distribution expected for that instability type. Indeed an estimate of the theoretical predicted wavelength is also a good match to the prediction from Floquet analysis and theoretical estimates indicate the growth rate is positive. Fully three-dimensional simulations are also undertaken to explore the nonlinear development of the three-dimensional instability. These show the development of the characteristic upright hairpins observed in the experimental dye visualisations. The three-dimensional instability that manifests at lower Reynolds numbers is shown to be consistent with an elliptic instability of the KH shear-layer vortices in both symmetry and spanwise wavelength.

Experimental Study on the Stability of the Flow Behind an Accelerating Circular Cylinder

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Inasawa ◽  
K. Toda ◽  
M. Asai
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Critical Reynolds Number ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Cylinder Wake ◽  
Global Instability ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Dimensional Instability ◽  
Wake Oscillation

Disturbance growth in the wake of a circular cylinder moving at a constant acceleration is examined experimentally. The cylinder is installed on a carriage moving in the still air. The results show that the critical Reynolds number for the onset of the global instability leading to a self-sustained wake oscillation increases with the magnitude of acceleration, while the Strouhal number of the growing disturbance at the critical Reynolds number is not strongly dependent on the magnitude of acceleration. It is also found that with increasing the acceleration, the Ka´rma´n vortex street remains two-dimensional even at the Reynolds numbers around 200 where the three-dimensional instability occurs to lead to the vortex dislocation in the case of cylinder moving at constant velocity or in the case of cylinder wake in the steady oncoming flow.

A study of streamwise vortex structure in a stratified shear layer

1994 ◽  
Vol 281 ◽  
pp. 247-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Schowalter ◽  
Charles W. Van Van Atta ◽  
Juan C. Lasheras
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Streamwise Vortex ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Vortical Structures ◽  
Flow Evolution ◽  
Spanwise Vorticity ◽  
Unstable Part ◽  
Dimensional Instability ◽  
Vortex Tubes

The existence of an organized streamwise vortical structure, which is superimposed on the well known coherent spanwise vorticity in nominally two-dimensional free shear layers, has been studied extensively. In the presence of stratification, however, buoyancy forces contribute to an additional mechanism for the generation of streamwise vorticity. As the spanwise vorticity layer rolls up and pulls high-density fluid above low-density fluid, a local instability results. The purpose of the current investigation is to force the three-dimensional instability in the stratified shear layer. In this manner, we experimentally observe the effect of buoyancy on the streamwise vortex tube evolution, the evolution of the buoyancy-induced instability, and the interaction between these two vortical structures. A simple numerical model is proposed which captures the relevant physics of the flow evolution. It is found that, depending on the location, streamwise vortices resulting from vortex stretching may be weakened or enhanced by the stratification. Buoyancy-induced vortex structures are shown to form where the unstable part of the interface is tilted by the streamwise vortex tubes. These vortices strengthen initially, then weaken downstream, the timescale for this process depending upon the degree of stratification. For initial Richardson numbers larger than about 0.03, the baroclinically weakened vortex tubes eventually disappear as the flow evolves downstream and the baroclinically generated vortices dominate the three-dimensional flow structure.

scholarly journals Large-eddy simulation of the compressible flow past a wavy cylinder

2010 ◽  
Vol 665 ◽  
pp. 238-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHANG-YUE XU ◽  
LI-WEI CHEN ◽  
XI-YUN LU
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Compressible Flow ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Separated Shear Layer ◽  
Flow Past ◽  
Cylinder Flow

Numerical investigation of the compressible flow past a wavy cylinder was carried out using large-eddy simulation for a free-stream Mach number M∞ = 0.75 and a Reynolds number based on the mean diameter Re = 2 × 105. The flow past a corresponding circular cylinder was also calculated for comparison and validation against experimental data. Various fundamental mechanisms dictating the intricate flow phenomena, including drag reduction and fluctuating force suppression, shock and shocklet elimination, and three-dimensional separation and separated shear-layer instability, have been studied systematically. Because of the passive control of the flow over a wavy cylinder, the mean drag coefficient of the wavy cylinder is less than that of the circular cylinder with a drag reduction up to 26%, and the fluctuating force coefficients are significantly suppressed to be nearly zero. The vortical structures near the base region of the wavy cylinder are much less vigorous than those of the circular cylinder. The three-dimensional shear-layer shed from the wavy cylinder is more stable than that from the circular cylinder. The vortex roll up of the shear layer from the wavy cylinder is delayed to a further downstream location, leading to a higher-base-pressure distribution. The spanwise pressure gradient and the baroclinic effect play an important role in generating an oblique vortical perturbation at the separated shear layer, which may moderate the increase of the fluctuations at the shear layer and reduce the growth rate of the shear layer. The analysis of the convective Mach number indicates that the instability processes in the shear-layer evolution are derived from oblique modes and bi-dimensional instability modes and their competition. The two-layer structures of the shear layer are captured using the instantaneous Lamb vector divergence, and the underlying dynamical processes associated with the drag reduction are clarified. Moreover, some phenomena relevant to the compressible effect, such as shock waves, shocklets and shock/turbulence interaction, are analysed. It is found that the shocks and shocklets which exist in the circular cylinder flow are eliminated for the wavy cylinder flow and the wavy surface provides an effective way of shock control. As the shock/turbulence interaction is avoided, a significant drop of the turbulent fluctuations around the wavy cylinder occurs. The results obtained in this study provide physical insight into the understanding of the mechanisms relevant to the passive control of the compressible flow past a wavy surface.

A visual study of the flow around an oscillating circular cylinder at low Keulegan–Carpenter numbers and low Stokes numbers

1990 ◽  
Vol 211 ◽  
pp. 157-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tatsuno ◽  
P. W. Bearman
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Stokes Number ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Half Cycle ◽  
Visual Study ◽  
Sinusoidal Oscillations ◽  
Dimensional Instability

The structures of the flow induced by a circular cylinder performing sinusoidal oscillations in a fluid at rest are investigated by means of flow visualization. The experiments are carried out at Keulegan–Carpenter numbers between 1.6 and 15 and at Stokes numbers between 5 and 160. Above a certain value of Keulegan–Carpenter number, depending on the Stokes number, some asymmetry appears in the flow separation and the associated vortex development behind the cylinder. The two vortices that are developed in a half cycle differ in strength and may be convected in different directions. This results in a fascinating set of flow patterns. Eight different regimes of flow can be identified within the ranges of Keulegan–Carpenter number and Stokes number studied. Furthermore, most of the resulting flows show a three-dimensional instability along the axis of the cylinder. Measurements of the wavelength of these disturbances are presented.

Three-dimensional instability of a plane free shear layer: an experimental study of the formation and evolution of streamwise vortices

1988 ◽  
Vol 189 ◽  
pp. 53-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Lasheras ◽  
H. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Strain Field ◽  
Principal Direction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Streamwise Vortex ◽  
Shear Instability ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
Dimensional Instability ◽  
Vortex Tubes

The three-dimensional development of a plane free shear layer subjected to small sinusoidal perturbations periodically placed along the span is experimentally studied. Both laser induced fluorescence and direct interface visualization are used to monitor the interface between the two fluids. The development of the different flow stabilities is obtained through analysis of the temporal and spatial evolution of the interface separating the two streams. It is shown that the characteristic time of growth of the two-dimensional shear instability is much shorter than that of the three-dimensional instability. The primary Kelvin-Helmholtz instability develops first, leading to the formation of an almost two-dimensional array of spanwise vortex tubes. Under the effect of the strain field created by the evolving spanwise vortices, the perturbed vorticity existing on the braids undergoes axial stretching, resulting in the formation of vortex tubes whose axes are aligned with the principal direction of the positive strain field. During the formation of these streamwise vortex tubes, the spanwise vortices maintain, to a great extent, their two-dimensionality, suggesting an almost uncoupled development of both instabilities. The vortex tubes formed through the three-dimensional instability of the braids further undergo nonlinear interactions with the spanwise vortices inducing on their cores a wavy undulation of the same wavelength, but 180° phase shifted with respect to the perturbation. In addition, it is shown that owing to the nature of the three-dimensional instability, the effect of vertical and axial perturbations are coupled. Finally, the influence of the amplitude and wavelength of the perturbation on the development of the two- and three-dimensional instabilities is described.

Effects of wavelength and amplitude of a wavy cylinder in cross-flow at low Reynolds numbers

2009 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. 195-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. LAM ◽  
Y. F. LIN
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spanwise Direction ◽  
Free Shear Layer ◽  
The Mean

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of laminar flow around a circular cylinder with sinusoidal variation of cross-section along the spanwise direction, named ‘wavy cylinder’, are performed. A series of wavy cylinders with different combinations of dimensionless wavelength (λ/Dm) and wave amplitude (a/Dm) are studied in detail at a Reynolds number of Re = U∞Dm/ν = 100, where U∞ is the free-stream velocity and Dm is the mean diameter of a wavy cylinder. The results of variation of mean drag coefficient and root mean square (r.m.s.) lift coefficient with dimensionless wavelength show that significant reduction of mean and fluctuating force coefficients occurs at optimal dimensionless wavelengths λ/Dm of around 2.5 and 6 respectively for the different amplitudes studied. Based on the variation of flow structures and force characteristics, the dimensionless wavelength from λ/Dm = 1 to λ/Dm = 10 is classified into three wavelength regimes corresponding to three types of wake structures. The wake structures at the near wake of different wavy cylinders are captured. For all wavy cylinders, the flow separation line varies along the spanwise direction. This leads to the development of a three-dimensional free shear layer with periodic repetition along the spanwise direction. The three-dimensional free shear layer of the wavy cylinder is larger and more stable than that of the circular cylinder, and in some cases the free shear layer even does not roll up into a mature vortex street behind the cylinder. As a result, the mean drag coefficients of some of the typical wavy cylinders are less than that of a corresponding circular cylinder with a maximum drag coefficient reduction up to 18%. The r.m.s. lift coefficients are greatly reduced to practically zero at optimal wavelengths. In the laminar flow regime (60 ≤ Re ≤ 150), the values of optimal wavelength are Reynolds number dependent.

Large-eddy simulation of boundary-layer separation and transition at a change of surface curvature

2001 ◽  
Vol 439 ◽  
pp. 305-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
ZHIYIN YANG ◽  
PETER R. VOKE
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Transition Mechanism ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dimensional Instability

Transition arising from a separated region of flow is quite common and plays an important role in engineering. It is difficult to predict using conventional models and the transition mechanism is still not fully understood. We report the results of a numerical simulation to study the physics of separated boundary-layer transition induced by a change of curvature of the surface. The geometry is a flat plate with a semicircular leading edge. The Reynolds number based on the uniform inlet velocity and the leading-edge diameter is 3450. The simulated mean and turbulence quantities compare well with the available experimental data.The numerical data have been comprehensively analysed to elucidate the entire transition process leading to breakdown to turbulence. It is evident from the simulation that the primary two-dimensional instability originates from the free shear in the bubble as the free shear layer is inviscidly unstable via the Kelvin–Helmholtz mechanism. These initial two-dimensional instability waves grow downstream with a amplification rate usually larger than that of Tollmien–Schlichting waves. Three-dimensional motions start to develop slowly under any small spanwise disturbance via a secondary instability mechanism associated with distortion of two-dimensional spanwise vortices and the formation of a spanwise peak–valley wave structure. Further downstream the distorted spanwise two-dimensional vortices roll up, leading to streamwise vorticity formation. Significant growth of three-dimensional motions occurs at about half the mean bubble length with hairpin vortices appearing at this stage, leading eventually to full breakdown to turbulence around the mean reattachment point. Vortex shedding from the separated shear layer is also observed and the ‘instantaneous reattachment’ position moves over a distance up to 50% of the mean reattachment length. Following reattachment, a turbulent boundary layer is established very quickly, but it is different from an equilibrium boundary layer.

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