Exponential Wake Structure of Heated Turbulent Boundary Layers at Elevated Levels of Free-Stream Turbulence

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 336-344
Author(s):  
P. Sepri

The wake region of a turbulent boundary layer is demonstrated to exhibit simple exponential behavior at elevated levels of free-stream turbulence. As a predictive tool, the computer code STANCOOL has been modified to include FST effects in heated turbulent boundary layers. Preliminary comparisons with experimental data indicate improvements in computational capability, although further development of the code is required. From these comparisons, three new results are offered: (1) At elevated levels of FST, several statistical profiles in the boundary layer wake region decay exponentially into the free stream; (2) v′T′ decays at half the rate of the mean velocity and temperature; (3) analytical expressions are provided for u′v′ and v′T′ in this case.

2016 ◽  
Vol 802 ◽  
pp. 79-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eda Dogan ◽  
Ronald E. Hanson ◽  
Bharathram Ganapathisubramani

The scale interactions occurring within a turbulent boundary layer are investigated in the presence of free-stream turbulence. The free-stream turbulence is generated by an active grid. The free stream is monitored by a single-component hot-wire probe, while a second probe is roved across the height of the boundary layer at the same streamwise location. Large-scale structures occurring in the free stream are shown to penetrate the boundary layer and increase the streamwise velocity fluctuations throughout. It is speculated that, depending on the extent of the penetration, i.e. based on the level of free-stream turbulence, the near-wall turbulence production peaks at different wall-normal locations than the expected location of $y^{+}\approx 15$ for a canonical turbulent boundary layer. It is shown that the large scales dominating the log region have a modulating effect on the small scales in the near-wall region; this effect becomes more significant with increasing turbulence in the free stream, i.e. similarly increasing $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{0}}$. This modulating interaction and its Reynolds-number trend have similarities with canonical turbulent boundary layers at high Reynolds numbers where the interaction between the large scales and the envelope of the small scales exhibits a pure amplitude modulation (Hutchins & Marusic, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 365 (1852), 2007, pp. 647–664; Mathis et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 628, 2009, pp. 311–337). This similarity has encouraging implications towards generalising scale interactions in turbulent boundary layers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. 207-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRIAN BRZEK ◽  
SHEILLA TORRES-NIEVES ◽  
JOSÉ LEBRÓN ◽  
RAÚL CAL ◽  
CHARLES MENEVEAU ◽  
...  

Several effects of nearly isotropic free-stream turbulence in transitionally rough turbulent boundary layers are studied using data obtained from laser Doppler anemometry measurements. The free-stream turbulence is generated with the use of an active grid, resulting in free-stream turbulence levels of up to 6.2%. The rough surface is characterized by a roughness parameterk+≈ 53, and measurements are performed at Reynolds numbers of up toReθ= 11300. It is confirmed that the free-stream turbulence significantly alters the mean velocity deficit profiles in the outer region of the boundary layer. Consequently, the previously observed ability of the Zagarola & Smits (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 373, 1998, p. 33) velocity scaleU∞δ*/δ to collapse results from both smooth and rough surface boundary layers, no longer applies in this boundary layer subjected to high free-stream turbulence. In inner variables, the wake region is significantly reduced with increasing free-stream turbulence, leading to decreased mean velocity gradient and production of Reynolds stress components. The effects of free-stream turbulence are clearly identifiable and significant augmentation of the streamwise Reynolds stress profiles throughout the entire boundary layer are observed, all the way down to the inner region. In contrast, the Reynolds wall-normal and shear stress profiles increase due to free-stream turbulence only in the outer part of the boundary layer due to the blocking effect of the wall. As a consequence, there is a significant portion of the boundary layer in which the addition of nearly isotropic turbulence in the free-stream, results in significant increases in anisotropy of the turbulence. To quantify which turbulence length scales contribute to this trend, second-order structure functions are examined at various distances from the wall. Results show that the anisotropy created by adding nearly isotropic turbulence in the free-stream resides mostly in the larger scales of the flow. Furthermore, by analysing the streamwise Reynolds stress equation, it can be predicted that it is the wall-normal gradient of 〈u2v〉 term that is responsible for the increase in 〈u2〉 profiles throughout the boundary layer (i.e. an efficient turbulent transport of turbulence away from the wall). Furthermore, a noticeable difference between the triple correlations for smooth and rough surfaces exists in the inner region, but no significant differences are seen due to free-stream turbulence. In addition, the boundary layer parameters δ*/δ95,Handcfare also evaluated from the experimental data. The flow parameters δ*/δ95andHare found to increase due to roughness, but decrease due to free-stream turbulence, which has significance for flow control, particularly in delaying separation. Increases incfdue to high free-stream turbulence are also observed, associated with increased momentum flux towards the wall.


2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Barrett ◽  
D. Keith Hollingsworth

A new heat transfer correlation for turbulent boundary layers subjected to free-stream turbulence was developed. The new correlation estimates dimensionless heat transfer coefficients without the use of conventional boundary-layer thickness measures and the associated Reynolds numbers. Using only free-stream parameters (mean velocity, turbulence intensity and length scale), the new correlation collected many authors’ elevated-turbulence, flat-plate Stanton number data to within ±11%. The level of scatter around the new correlation compared well to previous correlations that require additional flow information as input parameters. For a common subset of data, scatter using earlier correlation methods ranged from 5–10%; scatter around the new correlation varied from 6–9% over the same data subset. A length-scale dependence was identified in a Stanton number previously defined using a near-wall streamwise velocity fluctuation, St′. A new near-wall Stanton number was introduced; this parameter was regarded as a constant in a two-region boundary layer model on which the new correlation is based.


2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Lennart S. Hultgren

Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil. Reynolds numbers based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity were varied from 50,000 to 300,000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low and high inlet free-stream turbulence intensities (0.2 and 7 percent) were set using passive grids. The location of boundary-layer separation does not depend strongly on the free-stream turbulence level or Reynolds number, as long as the boundary layer remains nonturbulent prior to separation. Strong acceleration prevents transition on the upstream part of the plate in all cases. Both free-stream turbulence and Reynolds number have strong effects on transition in the adverse pressure gradient region. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions, transition is induced by instability waves in the shear layer of the separation bubble. Reattachment generally occurs at the transition start. At Re=50,000 the separation bubble does not close before the trailing edge of the modeled airfoil. At higher Re, transition moves upstream, and the boundary layer reattaches. With high free-stream turbulence levels, transition appears to occur in a bypass mode, similar to that in attached boundary layers. Transition moves upstream, resulting in shorter separation regions. At Re above 200,000, transition begins before separation. Mean velocity, turbulence, and intermittency profiles are presented.


Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Lennart S. Hultgren

Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil. Reynolds numbers based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity were varied from 50, 000 to 300, 000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low and high inlet free-stream turbulence intensities (0.2% and 7%) were set using passive grids. The location of boundary-layer separation does not depend strongly on the free-stream turbulence level or Reynolds number, as long as the boundary layer remains non-turbulent prior to separation. Strong acceleration prevents transition on the upstream part of the plate in all cases. Both free-stream turbulence and Reynolds number have strong effects on transition in the adverse pressure gradient region. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions transition is induced by instability waves in the shear layer of the separation bubble. Reattachment generally occurs at the transition start. At Re = 50, 000 the separation bubble does not close before the trailing edge of the modeled airfoil. At higher Re, transition moves upstream, and the boundary layer reattaches. With high free-stream turbulence levels, transition appears to occur in a bypass mode, similar to that in attached boundary layers. Transition moves upstream, resulting in shorter separation regions. At Re above 200,000, transition begins before separation. Mean velocity, turbulence and intermittency profiles are presented.


1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 450-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino ◽  
Terrence W. Simon

The relationship between free-stream turbulence and boundary layer behavior has been investigated using spectral measurements. The power spectral densities of turbulence quantities in transitional and fully turbulent boundary layers were computed and compared to the power spectra of the same quantities measured in the free stream. Comparisons were made using the “transfer function.” The transfer function is the ratio of two spectra at each frequency in the spectra. Comparisons were done in flows with low (0.6 percent) and high (8 percent) free-stream turbulence intensities. Evidence was gathered that suggests that relatively low-frequency, large-scale eddies in the free stream buffet the boundary layer, causing boundary layer unsteadiness at the same low frequencies. These fluctuations are present in both transitional and fully turbulent boundary layers. They are seen under both high and low free-stream turbulence conditions, although they are stronger in the high-turbulence case. Examination of the turbulent shear stress suggests that the low-frequency fluctuations enhance transport in the boundary layer but they are not so effective in promoting eddy transport as are turbulent eddies produced and residing within the boundary layer. In the fully-turbulent boundary layer, higher-frequency fluctuations are added to the low-frequency unsteadiness. These higher-frequency fluctuations, not seen in the transitional boundary layer, are associated with turbulence production in the boundary layer and appear not to be directly related to free-stream unsteadiness. [S0889-504X(00)00403-7]


2019 ◽  
Vol 866 ◽  
pp. 526-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiho You ◽  
Tamer A. Zaki

Direct numerical simulations are performed to study zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers beneath quiescent and vortical free streams. The inflow boundary layer is computed in a precursor simulation of laminar-to-turbulence transition, and the free-stream vortical forcing is obtained from direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence. A level-set approach is employed in order to objectively distinguish the boundary-layer and free-stream fluids, and to accurately evaluate their respective contributions to flow statistics. When free-stream turbulence is present, the skin friction coefficient is elevated relative to its value in the canonical boundary-layer configuration. An explanation is provided in terms of an increase in the power input into production of boundary-layer turbulence kinetic energy. This increase takes place deeper than the extent of penetration of the external perturbations towards the wall, and also despite the free-stream perturbations being void of any Reynolds shear stress. Conditional statistics demonstrate that the free-stream turbulence has two effects on the boundary layer: one direct and the other indirect. The low-frequency components of the free-stream turbulence penetrate the logarithmic layer. The associated wall-normal Reynolds stress acts against the mean shear to enhance the shear stress, which in turn enhances turbulence production. This effect directly enlarges the scale and enhances the energy of outer large-scale motions in the boundary layer. The second, indirect effect is the influence of these newly formed large-scale structures. They modulate the near-wall shear stress and, as a result, increase the turbulence kinetic energy production in the buffer layer, which is deeper than the extent of penetration of free-stream turbulence towards the wall.


1967 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Francis ◽  
F. J. Pierce

A detailed experimental investigation is described for the flow of air in skewed turbulent boundary layers on the floor of various curved channels. Measurements of time average velocities, flow directions, turbulence intensities, and growth are made for both the development and decay of the skewed boundary layer. All measurements were made with a unique hot wire probe arrangement. Tests were run with a free stream Reynolds number of approximately one million per ft and a free stream turbulence intensity of approximately 0.0016. The boundary layer was of the order of one inch in thickness. Both the turbulence intensity and velocity profiles indicate that the inner and outer regions, characteristic of two-dimensional profiles, are not necessarily appropriate to skewed three-dimensional flows.


2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Barrett ◽  
D. Keith Hollingsworth

Turbulent boundary layers were subjected to grid-generated free-stream turbulence to study the effects of length scale and intensity on heat transfer. Relative to conventional boundary layer thickness measures, test conditions included very small-scale free-stream turbulence. The boundary layers studied ranged from 400–2700 in momentum-thickness Reynolds number and from 450–1900 in enthalpy-thickness Reynolds number. Free-stream turbulence intensities varied from 0.1–8.0%. Ratios of free-stream length scale to boundary-layer momentum thickness ranged from 4.4–32.5. The turbulent-to-viscous length-scale ratios presented are the smallest found in the heat-transfer literature; the ratios spanned from 115–1020. The turbulent-to-thermal ratios (using enthalpy thickness as the thermal scale) are also the smallest reported; the ratios ranged from 3.2–12.3. Relative to clean-free-stream expectations based on the momentum- and enthalpy-thickness Reynolds numbers, the skin friction coefficient increased by up to 16%, and the Stanton number increased by up to 46%.


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