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Malik, Mujeeb R.

Publications and source records attributed to Malik, Mujeeb R..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Non-parallel stability of compressible boundary layers

Linear and nonlinear stability of compressible growing boundary layers is studied using parabolized stability equations (PSE). Linear PSE calculations are performed for Mach 1.6 and 4.5 plate-plate flow, and the results are compared with the predictions of the multiple-scales approach. In general, the nonparallel effect appears to be less significant for oblique waves near the lower neutral branch but it progressively becomes important at higher Reynolds numbers near the upper branch. In contrast, the nonparallel effect is more pronounced near the lower branch for two-dimensional first-mode waves. The PSE and multiple-scales results agree for the first mode waves, but in the first-second mode transition region, the latter approach tends to break down. Comparison with the first (oblique) and second mode growth rate data from Kendall's (1967) experiment shows good agreement; however, the peak second mode growth rate is over-predicted. Similar conclusions are drawn for the second mode experiment of Stetson et al. (1983) for Mach 8 flow past a sharp cone. We conjecture that the lower experimental growth rate is due to nonlinear saturation and provide supporting calculations.

Chang, Chau-Lyan↗

Efficient computation of spatial eigenvalues for hydrodynamic stability analysis

The simple procedure presented for spatial stability computations can substantially reduce the computational requirements of such analyses, as illustrated for the cases of both internal and external cases of compressible and incompressible flows, and both viscous and inviscid instability modes. Excellent estimates of spatial eigenvalues are obtained.

Khorrami, Mehdi R.↗

A study of eigenvalue sensitivity for hydrodynamic stability operators

The eigenvalue sensitivity for hydrodynamic stability operators is investigated. Classical matrix perturbation techniques as well as the concept of epsilon-pseudospectra are applied to show that parts of the spectrum are highly sensitive to small perturbations. Applications are drawn from incompressible plane Couette flow, trailing line vortex flow, and compressible Blasius boundary-layer flow. Parameter studies indicate a monotonically increasing effect of the Reynolds number on the sensitivity. The phenomenon of eigenvalue sensitivity is due to the nonnormality of the operators and their discrete matrix analogs and may be associated with large transient growth of the corresponding initial value problem.

Schmid, Peter J.↗

Sensitivity analysis of hydrodynamic stability operators

The eigenvalue sensitivity for hydrodynamic stability operators is investigated. Classical matrix perturbation techniques as well as the concept of epsilon-pseudoeigenvalues are applied to show that parts of the spectrum are highly sensitive to small perturbations. Applications are drawn from incompressible plane Couette, trailing line vortex flow and compressible Blasius boundary layer flow. Parametric studies indicate a monotonically increasing effect of the Reynolds number on the sensitivity. The phenomenon of eigenvalue sensitivity is due to the non-normality of the operators and their discrete matrix analogs and may be associated with large transient growth of the corresponding initial value problem.

Schmid, Peter J.↗

Linear stability theory and three-dimensional boundary layer transition

The viewgraphs and discussion of linear stability theory and three dimensional boundary layer transition are provided. The ability to predict, using analytical tools, the location of boundary layer transition over aircraft-type configurations is of great importance to designers interested in laminar flow control (LFC). The e(sup N) method has proven to be fairly effective in predicting, in a consistent manner, the location of the onset of transition for simple geometries in low disturbance environments. This method provides a correlation between the most amplified single normal mode and the experimental location of the onset of transition. Studies indicate that values of N between 8 and 10 correlate well with the onset of transition. For most previous calculations, the mean flows were restricted to two-dimensional or axisymmetric cases, or have employed simple three-dimensional mean flows (e.g., rotating disk, infinite swept wing, or tapered swept wing with straight isobars). Unfortunately, for flows over general wing configurations, and for nearly all flows over fuselage-type bodies at incidence, the analysis of fully three-dimensional flow fields is required. Results obtained for the linear stability of fully three-dimensional boundary layers formed over both wing and fuselage-type geometries, and for both high and low speed flows are discussed. When possible, transition estimates form the e(sup N) method are compared to experimentally determined locations. The stability calculations are made using a modified version of the linear stability code COSAL. Mean flows were computed using both Navier Stokes and boundary-layer codes.

Spall, Robert E.↗

Compressible stability of growing boundary layers using parabolized stability equations

The parabolized stability equation (PSE) approach is employed to study linear and nonlinear compressible stability with an eye to providing a capability for boundary-layer transition prediction in both 'quiet' and 'disturbed' environments. The governing compressible stability equations are solved by a rational parabolizing approximation in the streamwise direction. Nonparallel flow effects are studied for both the first- and second-mode disturbances. For oblique waves of the first-mode type, the departure from the parallel results is more pronounced as compared to that for the two-dimensional waves. Results for the Mach 4.5 case show that flow nonparallelism has more influence on the first mode than on the second. The disturbance growth rate is shown to be a strong function of the wall-normal distance due to either flow nonparallelism or nonlinear interactions. The subharmonic and fundamental types of breakdown are found to be similar to the ones in incompressible boundary layers.

Chang, Chau-Lyan↗

Effects of shock on the stability of hypersonic boundary layers

A set of linearized shock boundary conditions is derived, which is then imposed at the shock to account for the interaction of the shock wave with the boundary/shock layer instability wave; these boundary conditions are used to study the effect of shock on hypersonic boundary layer stability under the assumption of quasi-parallel flow. The result show that the shock has little effect on the boundary layer instability (subsonic first and second mode disturbances) when the shock is located outside the boundary layer edge. When the shock is located near the boundary layer edge, it exerts a stabilizing influence on the first and second modes. The shock also induces unstable supersonic modes with oscillatory structure in the shock layer, but these modes grow slower than the subsonic modes.

Chang, Chau-Lyan↗

Advanced Mach 3.5 Axisymmetric Quiet Nozzle

To advance boundary-layer stability and transition research and to ultimately provide reliable predictions of transition for supersonic flight vehicles, a wind tunnel is required with very low stream disturbance levels comparable to free flight conditions. Experimental and theoretical research to develop a low-disturbance supersonic wind tunnel has achieved a breakthrough. A new concept for nozzle design is presented which promises a large increase in the length of the quiet test core. The Advanced Mach 3.5 Axisymmetric Quiet Nozzle is the first prototype built to prove the new design concept. Experimental results from this new nozzle on the extent of laminar wall boundary layers are compared with data from other nozzles and with theoretical predictions based on linear stability theory. The Reynolds numbers based on the measured length of the quiet test core for this new nozzle are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. The effect of surface finish on the nozzle performance is also discussed.

Chen, Fang-Jenq↗

On the design of a new Mach 3.5 quiet nozzle

To advance boundary-layer stability and transition research and to ultimately provide reliable predictions of transition for supersonic flight vehicles, a wind tunnel is required with very low stream disturbance levels comparable to free flight conditions. A new concept for nozzle design is presented which promises a large increase in the length of the quiet test core. The Advanced Mach 3.5 Axisymmetric Quiet Nozzle is the first prototype built to prove the new design concept. The Reynolds numbers based on the measured length of the quiet test core for this new nozzle are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Chen, Fang-Jenq↗

Stability theory for chemically reacting flows

Linear stability theory for chemically reacting (equilibrium and nonequilibrium) flows is applied to study the stability of hypersonic boundary layers under the equilibrium assumption. The results for Mach 15 flow indicate that the second mode instability shifts to lower frequencies, as compared to the perfect gas results. The peak second mode growth rate is also increased for the equilibrium gas model. However, the results for Goertler instability show very little real gas effect. The present theory has been applied to a sphere-cone flight transition experiment performed at freestream Mach of about 20.

Malik, Mujeeb R.↗

Stability of a supersonic boundary layer along a swept leading edge

The instability of an attachment-line boundary layer formed on a swept cylinder in a supersonic freestream is considered in the linear regime. The supersonic attachment-line boundary layer is shown to be susceptible to oblique Tollmien-Schlichting wave instability which may be controlled by wall cooling. The critical Reynolds number based upon momentum thickness is found to be about 230. The onset of transition in the attachment-line boundary layer is also studied using the e (sup N) method and results are compared with the experimental data obtained at M (sub infinity) = 3.5 in the absence of any trips or spanwise contamination.

Malik, Mujeeb R.↗

Curvature effects on the stability of three-dimensional laminar boundary layers

The linear stability equations for compressible, three-dimensional laminar boundary layer flow are derived in an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system. The system of equations is solved using a finite difference scheme in order to study the effects of streamline and surface curvature and compressibility on the stability of the flow past a swept wing. It is known that convex surface curvature can have a stabilizing effect on the laminar boundary layer. Conversely, concave surface curvature can be destabilizing. The magnitude of these effects for swept wings is determined. Results indicate that amplification rates and hence, N-factors, for the flow over the convex upper surface of a swept wing can be reduced by about 15 to 45 percent when curvature effects are included in the linear stability analysis. The results of the calculations show that concave curvature destabilizes crossflow type disturbances with a significant increase in amplification rate. In addition, comparisons are made with some experimental results on a swept concave-convex surface. Calculated velocity vector plots show good agreement with observed disturbances in the laminar boundary layer over the concave surface.

Collier, F. S., Jr.↗

Application of spectral collocation techniques to the stability of swirling flows

The linearized stability equations in cylindrical coordinates of a Chebyshev spectral collocation method for the temporal and spatial stability of swirling flows are presently solved with the eigenvalues obtained through the use of the QZ routine. The algorithm thus created is robust and easily adaptable to a range of flow configurations encompassing internal and external flows with minor boundary condition application modifications. Accuracy and efficiency tests of the method are made for the cases of plane Poiseulle, rotating-pipe, and trailing line vortex flows.

Khorrami, Mehdi R.↗

Transition in hypersonic boundary layers

Linear stability theory for hypersonic boundary layers is presented. The theory is used to study the effects of real gas (under the assumption of local chemical equilibrium) and small nose bluntness on hypersonic boundary layer stability. It is found that chemical reactions have a stabilizing effect on the first mode instability and a destabilizing effect on the second mode instability in hypersonic boundary layers. There is also a tendency for the second-mode instability to shift to lower frequencies. The effect of small nose bluntness is found to be stabilizing.

Malik, Mujeeb R.↗

Stability theory applications to laminar-flow control

In order to design Laminar Flow Control (LFC) configurations, reliable methods are needed for boundary-layer transition predictions. Among the available methods, there are correlations based upon R sub e, shape factors, Goertler number and crossflow Reynolds number. The most advanced transition prediction method is based upon linear stability theory in the form of the e sup N method which has proven to be successful in predicting transition in two- and three-dimensional boundary layers. When transition occurs in a low disturbance environment, the e sup N method provides a viable design tool for transition prediction and LFC in both 2-D and 3-D subsonic/supersonic flows. This is true for transition dominated by either TS, crossflow, or Goertler instability. If Goertler/TS or crossflow/TS interaction is present, the e sup N will fail to predict transition. However, there is no evidence of such interaction at low amplitudes of Goertler and crossflow vortices.

Malik, Mujeeb R.↗