Multiple distortion of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer - Experiments on the effects of successive distortions on a turbulent boundary layer in a supersonic flow

Douglas R. Smith, Alexander J. Smits

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3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to study the response of a supersonic turbulent boundary layer to successive distortions. In the first experiment (Case 1), the flow passed over a forward-facing ramp formed by 20° compression corner followed by a 20° expansion corner located about 4δo downstream, where δo is the incoming boundary layer thickness. In the second experiment (Case 2), the forward-facing ramp was constructed of curved compression and expansion surfaces with the same turning angles and total step height as in Case 1. The radii of curvature for the compression and expansion surfaces were equal to 12δo. In both experiments, the flow relaxation was observed over a distance equal to 12δo. In this relaxation region, the mean and turbulent flow behavior of the boundary layer was measured. The mean velocity profile was found to be altered by the distortion. Recovery of the profile began near the wall and occurred rapidly, but in the outer part of the boundary layer, recovery proceeded slowly. Turbulence measurements revealed a dramatic reduction in the turbulence shear stress and a progressively decaying streamwise Reynolds stress profile.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)223-229
Number of pages7
JournalApplied Scientific Research
Volume51
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1993

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

Keywords

  • curvature
  • pressure gradient
  • shock-wave
  • successive distortion
  • supersonic
  • turbulent boundary layer

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