Abstract
The unsteady boundary layer behavior on the concave surface of a curved plate is investigated. Detailed experimental investigations are carried out to study the effect of unsteady wakes on the boundary layer transition under varying wake passing frequencies. The periodic unsteady flow is generated utilizing an unsteady flow research facility with a rotating cascade of rods positioned upstream of the curved plate. The inlet velocity is measured using a X-wire hot-film probe while the unsteady boundary layer measurements are performed. The data is analyzed using time-averaged and ensemble-averaged techniques. The time-averaged results display a shift of the transition region forward and a decrease in the transition length with an increase in wake passing frequency. The ensemble-averaged results show strong boundary layer deformation and periodic behavior. With each passing wake, a high intensity turbulent patch is generated which merges with the primary boundary layer producing a high turbulent intensity core.
Read, Robert Kevin (1997). Effect of unsteady wake passing frequency on boundary layer transition on the concave surface of a curved plate. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1997 -THESIS -R43.