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Instantaneous Structure of Turbulent Separated Boundary Layers

This report describes the final results of the project, which are reported in the reference in Appendix A. This reference contains the technical details, and will constitute the main body of the report. The paper in Appendix A was first presented at the 8th International Symposium on Applications of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, July, 1996. This paper was one of 30 papers selected from more than 200 papers presented at the symposium for publication in a book by Springer-Verlag. It will become available during 1997.

Adrian, Ronald J.↗

Current Issues in Unsteady Turbomachinery Flows (Images)

Among the numerous causes for unsteadiness in turbo machinery flows are turbulence and flow environment, wakes from stationary and rotating vanes, boundary layer separation, boundary layer/shear layer instabilities, presence of shock waves and deliberate unsteadiness for flow control purposes. These unsteady phenomena may lead to flow-structure interactions such as flutter and forced vibration as well as system instabilities such as stall and surge. A major issue of unsteadiness relates to the fact that a fundamental understanding of unsteady flow physics is lacking and requires continued attention. Accurate simulations and sufficient high fidelity experimental data are not available. The Glenn Research Center plan for Engine Component Flow Physics Modeling is part of the NASA 21st Century Aircraft Program. The main components of the plan include Low Pressure Turbine National Combustor Code. The goals, technical output and benefits/impacts of each element are described in the presentation. The specific areas selected for discussion in this presentation are blade wake interactions, flow control, and combustor exit turbulence and modeling.

Povinelli, Louis↗

Experimental Investigation of Separated and Transitional Boundary Layers Under Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

Modern low-pressure turbine airfoils are subject to increasingly stronger pressure gradients as designers impose higher loading in an effort to improve efficiency and to reduce part count. The adverse pressure gradients on the suction side of these airfoils can lead to boundary-layer separation, particularly under cruise conditions. Separation bubbles, notably those which fail to reattach, can result in a significant degradation of engine efficiency. Accurate prediction of separation and reattachment is hence crucial to improved turbine design. This requires an improved understanding of the transition flow physics. Transition may begin before or after separation, depending on the Reynolds number and other flow conditions, has a strong influence on subsequent reattachment, and may even eliminate separation. Further complicating the problem are the high free-stream turbulence levels in a real engine environment, the strong pressure gradients along the airfoils, the curvature of the airfoils, and the unsteadiness associated with wake passing from upstream stages. Because of the complicated flow situation, transition in these devices can take many paths that can coexist, vary in importance, and possibly also interact, at different locations and instances in time. The present work was carried out in an attempt to systematically sort out some of these issues. Detailed velocity measurements were made along a flat plate subject to the same nominal dimensionless pressure gradient as the suction side of a modern low-pressure turbine airfoil ('Pak-B'). The Reynolds number based on wetted plate length and nominal exit velocity, Re, was varied from 50;000 to 300; 000, covering cruise to takeoff conditions. Low, 0.2%, and high, 7%, inlet free-stream turbulence intensities were set using passive grids. These turbulence levels correspond to about 0.2% and 2.5% turbulence intensity in the test section when normalized with the exit velocity. The Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence level do not have a significant effect on the location of boundary-layer separation unless they are high enough to induce transition upstream of separation. The location and extent of the transition zone, in contrast, depend strongly on Re and TI. The beginning of reattachment closely follows the onset of transition. Under low free-stream turbulence conditions the boundary layer is laminar at separation and then begins to exhibit fluctuations in a finite frequency band in the shear layer over the separation bubble. These fluctuations are due to instability waves. The fluctuations grow in magnitude, higher harmonics are generated, and finally lead to a breakdown to turbulence. Transition begins in the shear layer, but quickly spreads to the near wall region and causes the boundary layer to reattach. The transition is rapid and the resulting turbulence contains a full range of high and low frequencies. Under high free-stream turbulence conditions, slowly growing low-frequency fluctuations are induced in the pretransitional boundary layer by the free-stream. The separation bubbles are considerably thinner than in the low TI cases, resulting in thinner boundary layers at the end of the test wall. At Re=50,000 and 100,000, the pre-transitional boundary layer separates at about the same location as in the low TI cases. Transition occurs through a bypass mode, begins upstream of the corresponding low-TI location, and proceeds in a manner similar to that of an attached boundary layer. Under high TI at Re=200,000 and 300,000, transition begins before separation. The boundary layer may separate, but if it does the separation bubble is very short and does not significantly affect the downstream development of the boundary layer. A comparison is made to previous work in a simulated cascade.

Hultgren, Lennart S.↗

Experimental Investigation of the Pressure Rise Required for the Incipient Separation of Turbulent Boundary Layers in Two-Dimensional Supersonic Flow

An experimental investigation has been made of turbulent boundary-layer separation associated with compression corners, curved surfaces of various radii, and incident shock waves. The purpose of the investigation was to provide design information, and to define significant physical trends, which would aid in the prediction of turbulent separation for various aerodynamic devices, such as compressor blades, flaps, spoilers, and diffusers. A characteristic change in the longitudinal static-pressure distribution (i.e., a change from a curve with one inflection point to a curve with three inflection points) was employed to detect the occurrence of separation. The effects of Reynolds number (10(exp 6) to 10(exp 7) per foot or l.5 x 10(exp 4) to 7.5 x 10(exp 4) based upon boundary-layer thickness) and Mach number (1.6 to 4.2) on the onset of turbulent boundary-layer separation were investigated. The pressure gradient of the boundary-layer flow ahead of the interaction region was essentially zero. The results show a considerable effect of Mach number on the pressure rise for incipient separation for all configurations. For a curved-surface model, the static pressure-rise ratio required to cause separation varied from about 2.5, at a Mach number of 2 to about 16, at a Mach number of 3.5. A substantial effect of Reynolds number on the pressure rise for incipient separation was observed in the upper Mach number range and in the lower Reynolds number range; namely, the pressure rise required for separation decreased with increasing Reynolds number. For low Mach numbers and high Reynolds numbers, there appeared to be no Reynolds number effect. The effects of Mach number and of Reynolds number were similar for all models. Model shape was also found to be an important variable affecting the onset of separation. Large gains were realized in the pressure-rise ratio with no separation when the radius of curvature of the model surface was increased. At a Mach number of 3.4, for instance, the pressure-rise ratio with no separation increased from about 5 to 15 as a result of an increase in the radius of curvature from approximately 0 to 30 boundary-layer thicknesses.

Kuehn, Donald M.↗

Response of aerospace structures to reentry aerodynamic excitation

A bibliography on aerodynamic excitation and associated structural response is presented. Very little applicable data under actual reentry conditions was found, but many wind tunnel tests and some in-flight data were. Aerodynamic excitation and proposed space shuttle configurations and reentry trajectories were studied. Attached turbulent boundary layer, separated turbulent boundary layer, and base pressure fluctuations are the region of aerodynamic excitation most applicable to exterior panels of space shuttle-type vehicles; prediction techniques are presented for these environments. Methods for predicting the response of panel structures to acoustic excitation were investigated. A normal mode approach was developed for the low frequency response and a statistical energy approach was utilized for the high frequency response. A finite element model was made of a thermal protective system test panel. Computer programs were used to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the panel and to calculate the response of the panel to a reverberant acoustic field. Power spectral densities of response displacement and acceleration are presented.

Carlin, D., Jr.↗

Measurements in Separated and Transitional Boundary Layers Under Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil Conditions

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.

Volino, Ralph J.↗

Features of a separating turbulent boundary layer in the vicinity of separation

Laser anemometer measurements using a directionally sensitive system were obtained for a nominally two-dimensional separating turbulent boundary layer produced by an adverse pressure gradient. An airfoil-type flow was generated in which the flow was accelerated and then decelerated until separation. The results include the skin friction, mean velocity profiles, turbulent shear stresses and intensities, spectra, dissipation rate, turbulent/non-turbulent interfacial intermittency, and eddy speeds.

Simpson, R. L.↗

Shock-induced separation of adiabatic turbulent boundary layers in supersonic axially symmetric internal flow

An experimental investigation at Mach 4 of shock-induced turbulent boundary layer separation at the walls of axially symmetric flow passages is discussed, with particular emphasis placed on determining the shock strengths required for incipient separation. The shock waves were produced by interchangeable sting-mounted cones placed on the axes of the flow passages and aligned with the freestream flow. The interactions under study simulate those encountered in axially symmetric engine inlets of supersonic aircraft. Knowledges of the shock strengths required for boundary layer separation in inlets is important since for shocks of somewhat greater strength rather drastic alterations in the inlet flow field may occur.

Page, R. J.↗

Experimental measurements of unsteady turbulent boundary layers near separation

Investigations conducted to document the behavior of turbulent boundary layers on flat surfaces that separate due to adverse pressure gradients are reported. Laser and hot wire anemometers measured turbulence and flow structure of a steady free stream separating turbulent boundary layer produced on the flow of a wind tunnel section. The effects of sinusoidal and unsteadiness of the free stream velocity on this separating turbulent boundary layer at a reduced frequency were determined. A friction gage and a thermal tuft were developed and used to measure the surface skin friction and the near wall fraction of time the flow moves downstream for several cases. Abstracts are provided of several articles which discuss the effects of the periodic free stream unsteadiness on the structure or separating turbulent boundary layers.

Simpson, R. L.↗

A documentation of two- and three-dimensional shock-separated turbulent boundary layers

A shock-related separation of a turbulent boundary layer has been studied and documented. The flow was that of an axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer over a 5.02-cm-diam cylinder that was aligned with the wind tunnel axis. The boundary layer was compressed by a 30 deg half-angle conical flare, with the cone axis inclined at an angle alpha to the cylinder axis. Nominal test conditions were P sub tau equals 1.7 atm and M sub infinity equals 2.85. Measurements were confined to the upper-symmetry, phi equals 0 deg, plane. Data are presented for the cases of alpha equal to 0. 5. and 10 deg and include mean surface pressures, streamwise and normal mean velocities, kinematic turbulent stresses and kinetic energies, as well as reverse-flow intermittencies. All data are given in tabular form; pressures, streamwise velocities, turbulent shear stresses, and kinetic energies are also presented graphically.

Brown, J. D.↗

Some features of unsteady separating turbulent boundary layers

The physical features of steady and unsteady separating turbulent boundary layers are discussed with reference to wind-tunnel data obtained at a Reynolds number of 5.1 x 10 to the 6th and a reduced frequency of 0.55. It is shown that a moderate-amplitude (R less than 0.3) oscillating turbulent boundary layer has a mean flow structure that is close to that of a steady free-stream turbulent boundary layer. Well upstream of the separation, unexpected phase shifts of the velocity and turbulence oscillations occur near the wall between the viscous sublayer and the semilogarithmic region. Significant phase variations between the velocity and turbulence also exist in the detached and back flows downstream. Large amplitude oscillations are shown to have a substantial effect on the flow structure.

Simpson, R. L.↗

Stability of separating subsonic boundary layers

The primary and subharmonic instabilities of separating compressible subsonic two-dimensional boundary layers in the presence of a two-dimensional roughness element on a flat plate are investigated. The roughness elements considered are humps and forward- and backward-facing steps. The use of cooling and suction to control these instabilities is studied. The similarities and differences between the instability characteristics of separating boundary layers and those of the boundary layer over a flat plate with a zero pressure gradient are pointed out and discussed. The theoretical results agree qualitatively and quantitatively with the experimental data of Dovgal and Kozlov. Cooling and suction decrease the growth rates of primary and subharmonic waves in the attached-flow regions but increase them in the separated-flow regions.

Masad, Jamal A.↗

Forward marching procedure for separated boundary-layer flows

A forward-marching procedure for separated boundary-layer flows which permits the rapid and accurate solution of flows of limited extent is presented. The streamwise convection of vorticity in the reversed flow region is neglected, and this approximation is incorporated into a previously developed (Carter, 1974) inverse boundary-layer procedure. The equations are solved by the Crank-Nicolson finite-difference scheme in which column iteration is carried out at each streamwise station. Instabilities encountered in the column iterations are removed by introducing timelike terms in the finite-difference equations. This provides both unconditional diagonal dominance and a column iterative scheme, found to be stable using the von Neumann stability analysis.

Carter, J. E.↗

Turbulence modeling of shock separated boundary-layer flows

Computations of transonic and hypersonic shock-separated boundary-layer flows using zero-equation (algebraic), one-equation (kinetic energy), and two-equation (kinetic energy plus length scale) turbulence eddy viscosity models are described and compared with measurements. The computations make use of a new Navier-Stokes computer algorithm that has reduced computing times by one to two orders of magnitude. The algorithm, and how the turbulence models are incorporated into it, are described. Results for the transonic flow show that the unmodified one-equation model is superior to the zero-equation model in skin-friction predictions. For the hypersonic flow, a highly modified one-equation model that accurately predicts surface pressure and heat transfer is described. Preliminary two-equation model results are also presented.

Coakley, T. J.↗

Pointwise and scanning laser anemometer measurements in steady and unsteady separated turbulent boundary layers

The physical features of steady and unsteady freestream separating turbulent boundary layers that have been determined by pointwise laser anemometer measurements are outlined. It is seen that the large-scale structures control the outer region's backflow behavior. Near the wall, the mean backflow velocity profile for both the steady and unsteady cases is found to scale on the maximum negative mean velocity and its distance from the wall. A description is given of a scanning laser anemometer that produces nearly instantaneous velocity profiles for examing the temporal features of these large-scale structures. Also described is a 'zero-wake' seeder that supplies particles to the outer shear layer and freestream flow with a minimal disturbance.

Simpson, R. L.↗