The Origin of Turbulent Spots

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. W. Johnson ◽  
A. Dris
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Linear Perturbation ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Turbulent Spots ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Asme Paper ◽  
Near Wall

It has been suggested that a turbulent spot is formed when a transient separation occurs in the laminar boundary layer and this criterion has been successfully used by Johnson and Ercan (1996, ASME Paper No. 96-GT-44; 1997, ASME Paper No. 97-GT-475) to predict bypass transition for boundary layers subjected to a wide range of free-stream turbulence levels and streamwise pressure gradients. In the current paper experimental results are presented that support the premise that the formation of turbulent spots is associated with transient separation. Near-wall hot-wire signals in laminar and transitional boundary layers are analyzed statistically to produce probability distributions for signal level and trough frequency. In the laminar period the signal level is normally distributed, but during the inter-turbulent periods in the transitional boundary layer, the distribution is truncated at the lower end, i.e., the lowest velocity periods in the signal disappear, suggesting that these are replaced during transition by the turbulent periods. The number of these events (troughs) also correlates with the number of turbulent spots during early transition. A linear perturbation theory is also used in the paper to compute the streamlines through a turbulent spot and its associated calmed region. The results indicate that a hairpin vortex dominates the flow and entrains a low-momentum fluid stream from upstream with a high-momentum stream from downstream and then ejects the combined stream into the turbulent spot. The hairpin can only exist if a local separation occurs beneath its nose and the current results suggest that this separation is induced when the instantaneous velocity in the near-wall signal drops below 50 percent of the mean. [S0889-504X(00)01001-1]

scholarly journals The Origin of Turbulent Spots

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Johnson ◽  
Antonis Dris
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Linear Perturbation ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Turbulent Spots ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Linear Perturbation Theory ◽  
Near Wall

It has been suggested that a turbulent spot is formed when a transient separation occurs in the laminar boundary layer and this criterion has been successfully used by Johnson and Ercan [1996,1997] to predict bypass transition for boundary layers subjected to a wide range of freestream turbulence levels and streamwise pressure gradients. In the current paper experimental results are presented which support the premise that the formation of turbulent spots is associated with transient separation. Near wall hot wire signals in laminar and transitional boundary layers are analysed statistically to produce probability distributions for signal level and trough frequency. In the laminar period the signal level is normally distributed, but during the inter-turbulent periods in the transitional boundary layer the distribution is truncated at the tower end, i.e. the lowest velocity periods in the signal disappear, suggesting that these are replaced during transition by the turbulent periods. The number of these events (troughs) also correlates with the number of turbulent spots during early transition. A linear perturbation theory is also used in the paper to compute the streamlines through a turbulent spot and its associated calmed region. The results indicate that a hairpin vortex dominates the flow and entrains a low momentum fluid stream from upstream with a high momentum stream from downstream and then ejects the combined stream into the turbulent spot. The hairpin can only exist if a local separation occurs beneath its nose and the current results suggest that this separation is induced when the instantaneous velocity in the near wall signal drops below 50% of the mean.

scholarly journals A Theory for Predicting the Turbulent-Spot Production Rate

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Mayle
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Boundary Layer Flows ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
New Correlation

A theory is presented for predicting the production rate of turbulent spots. The theory, based on that by Mayle-Schulz for bypass transition, leads to a new correlation for the spot production rate in boundary layer flows with a zero pressure gradient. The correlation, which agrees reasonably well with data, clearly shows the effects of both free-stream turbulence level and length scale. In addition, the theory provides an estimate for the lowest level of free-stream turbulence causing bypass transition.

A Theory for Predicting the Turbulent-Spot Production Rate

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Mayle
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Production Rate ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulence Level ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Boundary Layer Flows ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
New Correlation

A theory is presented for predicting the production rate of turbulent spots. The theory, based on that by Mayle–Schulz for bypass transition, leads to a new correlation for the spot production rate in boundary layer flows with a zero pressure gradient. The correlation, which agrees reasonably well with data, clearly shows the effects of both free-stream turbulence level and length scale. In addition, the theory provides an estimate for the lowest level of free-stream turbulence causing bypass transition.

scholarly journals Interactions of large-scale free-stream turbulence with turbulent boundary layers

2016 ◽  
Vol 802 ◽  
pp. 79-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eda Dogan ◽  
Ronald E. Hanson ◽  
Bharathram Ganapathisubramani
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layers ◽  
Scale Interactions ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Near Wall

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.

Numerical simulations of boundary-layer bypass transition due to high-amplitude free-stream turbulence

2008 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. 135-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
VICTOR OVCHINNIKOV ◽  
MEELAN M. CHOUDHARI ◽  
UGO PIOMELLI
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Normal Velocity ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spots ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of bypass transition due to high-amplitude free-stream turbulence (FST) are carried out for a flat-plate boundary layer. The computational domain begins upstream of the plate leading edge and extends into the fully turbulent region. Thus, there is noad hoctreatment to account for the initial ingestion of FST into the laminar boundary layer. We study the effects of both the FST length scale and the disturbance behaviour near the plate leading edge on the details of bypass transition farther downstream. In one set of simulations, the FST parameters are chosen to match the ERCOFTAC benchmark case T3B. The inferred FST integral length scaleL11is significantly larger (RL=UL11/ν = 6580) than that employed in previous simulations of bypass transition (RL≃ 1000). An additional set of simulations was performed atRL= 1081 to compare the transition behaviour in the T3B case with that of a smaller value of FST length scale. The FST length scale is found to have a profound impact on the mechanism of transition. While streamwise streaks (Klebanoff modes) are observed at both values of the FST length scale, they appear to have clear dynamical significance only at the smaller value ofRL, where transition is concomitant with streak breakdown. For the T3B case, turbulent spots form upstream of the region where streaks could be detected. Spot precursors are traced to quasi-periodic spanwise structures, first observed as short wavepackets in the wall-normal velocity component inside the boundary layer. These structures are reoriented to become horseshoe vortices, which break down into young turbulent spots. Two of the four spots examined for this case had a downstream-pointing shape, similar to those found in experimental studies of transitional boundary layers. Additionally, our simulations indicate the importance of leading-edge receptivity for the onset of transition. Specifically, higher fluctuations of the vertical velocity at the leading edge of the plate result in higher levels of streamwise Reynolds stress inside the developing boundary layer, facilitating breakdown to turbulence.

scholarly journals Transitional–turbulent spots and turbulent–turbulent spots in boundary layers

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (27) ◽  
pp. E5292-E5299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Wu ◽  
Parviz Moin ◽  
James M. Wallace ◽  
Jinhie Skarda ◽  
Adrián Lozano-Durán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Shear Stress ◽  
Detection Threshold ◽  
Plate Boundary ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Viscous Sublayer ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Turbulent Spots

Two observations drawn from a thoroughly validated direct numerical simulation of the canonical spatially developing, zero-pressure gradient, smooth, flat-plate boundary layer are presented here. The first is that, for bypass transition in the narrow sense defined herein, we found that the transitional–turbulent spot inception mechanism is analogous to the secondary instability of boundary-layer natural transition, namely a spanwise vortex filament becomes aΛvortex and then, a hairpin packet. Long streak meandering does occur but usually when a streak is infected by a nearby existing transitional–turbulent spot. Streak waviness and breakdown are, therefore, not the mechanisms for the inception of transitional–turbulent spots found here. Rather, they only facilitate the growth and spreading of existing transitional–turbulent spots. The second observation is the discovery, in the inner layer of the developed turbulent boundary layer, of what we call turbulent–turbulent spots. These turbulent–turbulent spots are dense concentrations of small-scale vortices with high swirling strength originating from hairpin packets. Although structurally quite similar to the transitional–turbulent spots, these turbulent–turbulent spots are generated locally in the fully turbulent environment, and they are persistent with a systematic variation of detection threshold level. They exert indentation, segmentation, and termination on the viscous sublayer streaks, and they coincide with local concentrations of high levels of Reynolds shear stress, enstrophy, and temperature fluctuations. The sublayer streaks seem to be passive and are often simply the rims of the indentation pockets arising from the turbulent–turbulent spots.

Streak instabilities in boundary layers beneath free-stream turbulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 741 ◽  
pp. 280-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. P. Hack ◽  
T. A. Zaki
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Low Speed ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Speed Streaks

AbstractThe secondary instability of boundary layer streaks is investigated by means of direct stability analysis. The base flow is computed in direct simulations of bypass transition. The random nature of the free-stream perturbations causes the formation of a spectrum of streaks inside the boundary layer, with breakdown to turbulence initiated by the amplification of localized instabilities of individual streaks. The capability of the instability analysis to predict the instabilities which are observed in the direct numerical simulation is established. Furthermore, the analysis is shown to identify the particular streaks that break down to turbulence farther downstream. Two particular configurations of streaks regularly induce the growth of these localized instabilities: low-speed streaks that are lifted towards the edge of the boundary layer, and the local overlap between high-speed and low-speed streaks inside the boundary layer. It is established that the underlying modes can be ascribed to the general classification of inner and outer modes which was introduced by Vaughan & Zaki (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 681, 2011, pp. 116–153). Statistical evaluations show that Blasius boundary layers favour the amplification of outer instabilities. Adverse pressure gradient promotes breakdown to turbulence via the inner mode.

Heat Transfer In Turbulent Boundary Layers Subjected to Free-Stream Turbulence—Part II: Analysis and Correlation

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Barrett ◽  
D. Keith Hollingsworth
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layers ◽  
Stanton Number ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
New Correlation ◽  
Near Wall

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.

scholarly journals A study on boundary-layer transition induced by free-stream turbulence

2010 ◽  
Vol 660 ◽  
pp. 114-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. MANDAL ◽  
L. VENKATAKRISHNAN ◽  
J. DEY
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
Bypass Transition ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence

Boundary-layer transition at different free-stream turbulence levels has been investigated using the particle-image velocimetry technique. The measurements show organized positive and negative fluctuations of the streamwise fluctuating velocity component, which resemble the forward and backward jet-like structures reported in the direct numerical simulation of bypass transition. These fluctuations are associated with unsteady streaky structures. Large inclined high shear-layer regions are also observed and the organized negative fluctuations are found to appear consistently with these inclined shear layers, along with highly inflectional instantaneous streamwise velocity profiles. These inflectional velocity profiles are similar to those in the ribbon-induced boundary-layer transition. An oscillating-inclined shear layer appears to be the turbulent spot-precursor. The measurements also enabled to compare the actual turbulent spot in bypass transition with the simulated one. A proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of the fluctuating velocity field is carried out. The dominant flow structures of the organized positive and negative fluctuations are captured by the first few eigenfunction modes carrying most of the fluctuating energy. The similarity in the dominant eigenfunctions at different Reynolds numbers suggests that the flow prevails its structural identity even in intermittent flows. This analysis also indicates the possibility of the existence of a spatio-temporal symmetry associated with a travelling wave in the flow.

scholarly journals Robust features of a turbulent boundary layer subjected to high-intensity free-stream turbulence

2018 ◽  
Vol 851 ◽  
pp. 416-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Jason Hearst ◽  
Eda Dogan ◽  
Bharathram Ganapathisubramani
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Spectral Peak ◽  
Integral Scale ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Near Wall

The influence of the large scale organisation of free-stream turbulence on a turbulent boundary layer is investigated experimentally in a wind tunnel through hot-wire measurements. An active grid is used to generate high-intensity free-stream turbulence with turbulence intensities and local turbulent Reynolds numbers in the ranges $7.2\,\%\leqslant u_{\infty }^{\prime }/U_{\infty }\leqslant 13.0\,\%$ and $302\leqslant Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706},\infty }\leqslant 760$, respectively. In particular, several cases are produced with fixed $u_{\infty }^{\prime }/U_{\infty }$ and $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706},\infty }$, but up to a 65 % change in the free-stream integral scale $L_{u,\infty }/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$. It is shown that, while qualitatively the spectra at various wall-normal positions in the boundary layer look similar, there are quantifiable differences at the large wavelengths all the way to the wall. Nonetheless, profiles of the longitudinal statistics up to fourth order are well collapsed between cases at the same $u_{\infty }^{\prime }/U_{\infty }$. It is argued that a larger separation of the integral scale would not yield a different result, nor would it be physically realisable. Comparing cases across the wide range of turbulence intensities and free-stream Reynolds numbers tested, it is demonstrated that the near-wall spectral peak is independent of the free-stream turbulence, and seemingly universal. The outer peak was also found to be described by a set of global scaling laws, and hence both the near-wall and outer spectral peaks can be predicted a priori with only knowledge of the free-stream spectrum, the boundary layer thickness ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$) and the friction velocity ($U_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$). Finally, a conceptual model is suggested that attributes the increase in $U_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ as $u_{\infty }^{\prime }/U_{\infty }$ increases to the build-up of energy at large wavelengths near the wall because that energy cannot be transferred to the universal near-wall spectral peak.

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