The work addresses an important question of whether a discontinuity in wall curvature can cause boundary layer separation at transonic speeds. Firstly an inviscid transonic flow in the vicinity of a curvature break is analysed. Depending on the ratio of the curvatures, several physically different regimes can exist, including a special type of supersonic flows which decelerate to subsonic speeds without a shock wave, transonic Prandtl-Meyer flow and supersonic flows with a weak shock. It is shown that if the flow can be extended beyond the limiting characteristic, it subsequently develops a shock wave. As a consequence, a fundamental link between the local and the global flow patterns is observed in our problem. From an asymptotic analysis of the Karman-Guderley equation it follows that the curvature discontinuity leads to singular pressure gradients upstream and downstream of the break point. To find these gradients, we perform computations and employ both the hodograph method and the phase portrait technique. The focus is then turned to analysing how the given pressure distribution affects the boundary layer. It is demonstrated that the singular pressure gradient, which appears to be proportional to the inverse cubic root of the distance form the curvature break, corresponds to a special resonant case for the boundary layer upstream of the singularity. Consequently, the boundary layer approaches the interaction region in a pre-separated form. This changes the background on which the viscous-inviscid interaction develops, allowing to construct an asymptotic theory of the incipient viscous-inviscid interaction for our particular problem. The analysis of the interaction which takes place near a weak curvature discontinuity leads to a typical three-tier structure. It appears to be possible to obtain analytical solutions in all the tiers of the triple deck when the curvature break is small. As a result, the interaction equation may be derived in a closed form. The analytical solution of the interaction equation reveals a local minimum in the skin friction distribution, suggesting that a local recirculation zone can develop near the curvature break. In fact, the recirculation zone is formed when the ratio of the curvatures is represented as a series based on negative powers of the logarithm of the Reynolds number. This proves that a discontinuity in wall curvature does evoke boundary layer separation at transonic speeds. The result is fundamentally different from the effect of a curvature break at subsonic and supersonic speeds, as no separation takes place in these two regimes (Messiter & Hu 1975).

In a rectangular cross-section wind tunnel a separated oblique shock reflection is set to interact with the turbulent boundary layer (oblique SBLI) both on the bottom wall and in the corner formed by the intersection of the floor with the side-walls. In such a scenario, shock-induced separation is often seen in each of the streamwise corners, resulting in a highly three-dimensional flow field in the near-wall region. To examine how the corner separations can affect the `quasi-two-dimensional' main interaction and by what mechanism this is achieved, an experimental investigation has been conducted. This examines how modifications to the corner separation influence an oblique shock reflection. The nature of the flow field is studied using flow visualisation, Pressure Sensitive Paint and Laser Doppler Anemometry. A nominal freestream Mach number of 2.5 is used for all experiments with a unit Reynolds number of $40\times10^6$m$^{-1}$, and the shock-generator angle is set to $8^\circ$. The flow conditions are chosen to result in substantial separations both in the corners and along the centreline for the baseline case, which is thought to be a good starting point for this study. The results show that the size and shape of central separation vary considerably when the onset and magnitude of corner separation change. The primary mechanism coupling these separated regions appears to be the generation of compression waves and expansion fans as a result of the displacement effect of the corner separation. The presence and strength of the expansion waves have been overlooked in previous studies. This is shown to modify the three-dimensional shock-structure and alter the adverse pressure gradient experienced by the tunnel floor boundary layer. It is suggested that a typical oblique SBLI in rectangular channels features several zones depending on the relative position of the corner waves and the main interaction domain. In particular, it has been shown that the position of the corner `shock' crossing point, found by approximating the corner compression waves by a straight line, is a critical factor determining the main separation size and shape. Thus, corner effects can substantially modify the central separation. This can cause significant growth or contraction of the separation length measured along the symmetry line from the nominally two-dimensional baseline value, giving a fivefold increase from the smallest to the largest observed value. Moreover, the shape and flow topology of the centreline separation bubble is also considerably changed by varying corner effects.

The aerodynamic performance of lifting surfaces operating at low Reynolds number conditions is impaired by laminar separation. Understanding of the physical mechanisms and hydrodynamic instabilities that are associated with laminar separation and the formation of laminar separation bubbles (LSBs) is key for the design and development of effective and efficient active flow control (AFC) devices. For the present work, laminar separation and its control were investigated numerically by employing highly-accurate direct numerical simulations (DNS).For a LSB on a curved plate, the primary and secondary instability of the uncontrolled flow were investigated. An inviscid Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability was found to be responsible for the shedding of predominantly two-dimensional (2D) vortices. The onset of transition was caused by temporally-growing three-dimensional (3D) disturbances inside the separated region, which were supported by elliptical and hyperbolic secondary instabilities. The hyperbolic instability was demonstrated to be of absolute/global nature. High-amplitude forcing using pulsed vortex generator jets and 2D time-periodic blowing was found to exploit the KH instability and lead to a significant reduction in bubble size. In addition, the 2D forcing was found to suppress the secondary instabilities such that transition to turbulence was delayed.The role of free-stream turbulence (FST) in the transition process was investigated for a LSB on a flat plate. FST was shown to cause the formation of streamwise-elongated streaks inside the boundary layer. For the uncontrolled LSB, increasing the FST levels led to accelerated transition and a reduction in bubble size. The stage of linear disturbance growth due to the inviscid KH instability was not ``bypassed''. Flow control by means of 2D periodic excitation was found to remain effective, since it could exploit the KH instability and suppress secondary absolute instabilities. Transition was initiated by an interaction of the 2D wave introduced by the forcing and the streamwise boundary-layer streaks. The interaction led to a spanwise modulation of the 2D wave, which was amplified due to a convective elliptical instability.

Ces travaux de recherche portent sur la caractérisation des phénomènes instationnaires associés aux écoulements décollés induits à la fois par un gradient de pression adverse et un effet de courbure. Ce type de décollement est très couramment rencontré, en particulier dans le secteur des transports. Cette étude repose sur une approche purement expérimentale réalisée en canal hydrodynamique à l’aide de techniques de mesure non intrusives permettant de ne pas dénaturer la dynamique très sensible du phénomène de décollement de couche limite. Le décollement est, dans notre cas de figure, provoqué par un obstacle 2dne présentant pas de rupture de pente. Le régime d’écoulement étudié est principalement turbulent et la gamme des nombres de Kármán analysée s’étale de 60 à 730. L’objectif principal de cette étude est d’évaluer les effets Reynolds sur l’étendue et l’existence même du phénomène de décollement de couche limite, mais également sur la dynamique des instabilités, identifiées à plus bas régime dans la littérature. Les mesures effectuées dans le cadre de ces travaux ont tout d’abord permis de constituer une base de donnéesexpérimentale étoffée, et d’établir que le décollement de couche limite ainsi que les instabilités induites par celui-ci, identifiées en régime laminaire, persistent à plus haut nombre de Kármán. Les fréquences associées aux instabilités ont également été identifiées ainsi que les paramètres caractéristiques pilotant leur dynamique. La dynamique spatio-temporelle de ces instabilités et en particulier celle du phénomène debattement du bulbe décollé a été détaillée notamment par le biais d’une analyse stochastique. Finalement, la répartition relativement étendue des grandes échelles tourbillonnaires associées aux mécanismes instables (soulignée notamment par leur émergence spectrale large bande) a également été mise en évidence, ainsi que certains phénomènes dynamiques secondaires. L’ensemble de ces résultats et en particulier l’identification des paramètres clés pilotant la dynamique du décollement de la couche limite s’avèreront très utiles en vue de concevoir par la suite des modèles simplifiés reproduisant le plus fidèlement possible la dynamique des décollements afin de mieux pouvoir les contrôler. / These investigations concern the characterization of unsteady phenomena associated to the boundary layer separation induced by both an adverse pressure gradient and a curvature effects. This kind of separation is very usual, particularly in the transport field. This study, essentially based on an experimental approach, is carried out in an hydrodynamic channel using non intrusive measurement techniques. They respect the very sensitive dynamics of the boundary layer separation phenomenon. The separation is, in our case, induced by a 2d obstacle without sharp corner. The studied flow regime is mainly turbulentand the analyzed Kármán number ranges from 60 to 730. The main aim of this study is to estimate the Reynolds number effects on the boundary layer separation length and even on the existence of such phenomenon, but also on the instabilities dynamics, identified in the literature especially for laminar flow regime. The measurements made within the framework of these works allowed, first to built a large experimental database, and secondly to establish that the boundary layer separation and also the associate instabilities, identified for laminar flow, persist even for higher Kármán number. The frequencies associated to the instabilities phenomena have been also identified as well as the characteristic parameters driving their dynamics. The instabilities space-time dynamic, in particular those of the flapping phenomenon were detailed using stochastic analysis. Finally, the large scales distribution associated with the unstable mechanisms (underlined by their spectral broadband frequency range) were also highlighted, as well asothers secondary dynamic phenomena. All these results, especially the identification of the key parameters driving the boundary layer separation, will turn out very useful to design afterward simplified models reproducing as faithfully as possible the separation dynamics and to be able to control them better.

<p>Boundary layer separation is usually an unwanted phenomenon in most technical applications as for instance on airplane wings, on ground vehicles and in internal flows such as diffusers. If separation occurs it leads to loss of lift, higher drag and results in energy losses. It is therefore important to be able to find methods to control and if possible avoid separation altogether without introducing a too heavy penalty such as increased drag, energy consuming suction etc.</p><p>In the present work we study one such control method, namely the use of vortex generators (VGs), which are known to be able to hinder turbulent boundary layer separation. We first study the downstream development of streamwise vortices behind pairs and arrays of vortex generators and how the strength of the vortices is coupled to the relative size of the vortex generators in comparison to the boundary layer size. Both the amplitude and the trajectory of the vortices are tracked in the downstream direction. Also the influences of yaw and free stream turbulence on the vortices are investigated. This part of the study is made with hot-wire anemometry where all three velocity components of the vortex structure are measured. The generation of circulation by the VGs scales excellently with the VG blade height and the velocity at the blade edge. The magnitude of circulation was found to be independent of yaw angle.</p><p>The second part of the study deals with the control effect of vortex generators on three different cases where the strength of the adverse pressure gradient (APG) in a turbulent boundary layer has been varied. In this case the measurements have been made with particle image velocimetry. It was found that the streamwise position where the VGs are placed is not critical for the control effect. For the three different APG cases approximately the same level of circulation was needed to inhibit separation. In contrast to some previous studies we find no evidence of a universal detachment shape factor<i> H</i>_12,that is independent of pressure gradient.</p>

Most major sports today use a dedicated ball or projectile with specific shape, size, and surface geometry, except for soccer. Over the history of the sport, the surface geometry and design stayed relatively unchanged, sewn together using 32 pentagonal and hexagonal panels. However, recent innovations in panel designs differ substantially from the traditional 32 panel ball. The effects these new designs have on the aerodynamic characteristics of the ball have remained largely unknown, even with the influx of experimental research completed in the past decade. Experimental studies have been broad in scope, analyzing an entire ball in wind tunnels or full flow paths in trajectory analyses. Computational efforts have been too assumptive in flow conditions, such as a fully turbulent flow field, which has not yielded accurate representations of the flow phenomenon. This study investigates the aerodynamic effects of the seam on a two-dimensional representation of a non-rotating soccer ball using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). By applying a transitional solver to the narrowed scope of a two-dimensional flow domain, with a single seam in cross-flow, the effects of the seam on the boundary layer and overall transient flow structure can be more accurately modeled. Data analysis suggests the seam produces a local effect on skin friction, however, that effect does not materialize into a premature boundary layer transition or delayed separation point, as predicted by literature. A detailed flow visualization is consistent with this result, displaying expected symmetric vortex shedding similar to a smooth cylinder, but not fully capturing the effects of the seam, reinforcing the need for expanding computational research efforts in this field.

Boundary layer separation is usually an unwanted phenomenon in most technical applications as for instance on airplane wings, on ground vehicles and in internal flows such as diffusers. If separation occurs it leads to loss of lift, higher drag and results in energy losses. It is therefore important to be able to find methods to control and if possible avoid separation altogether without introducing a too heavy penalty such as increased drag, energy consuming suction etc. In the present work we study one such control method, namely the use of vortex generators (VGs), which are known to be able to hinder turbulent boundary layer separation. We first study the downstream development of streamwise vortices behind pairs and arrays of vortex generators and how the strength of the vortices is coupled to the relative size of the vortex generators in comparison to the boundary layer size. Both the amplitude and the trajectory of the vortices are tracked in the downstream direction. Also the influences of yaw and free stream turbulence on the vortices are investigated. This part of the study is made with hot-wire anemometry where all three velocity components of the vortex structure are measured. The generation of circulation by the VGs scales excellently with the VG blade height and the velocity at the blade edge. The magnitude of circulation was found to be independent of yaw angle. The second part of the study deals with the control effect of vortex generators on three different cases where the strength of the adverse pressure gradient (APG) in a turbulent boundary layer has been varied. In this case the measurements have been made with particle image velocimetry. It was found that the streamwise position where the VGs are placed is not critical for the control effect. For the three different APG cases approximately the same level of circulation was needed to inhibit separation. In contrast to some previous studies we find no evidence of a universal detachment shape factor H12, that is independent of pressure gradient. / QC 20101119

Direct and large-eddy simulations of wall-bounded turbulent flows in complex geometries are presented in the thesis. To avoid the challenging resolution requirements of the near-wall region, we develop a virtual wall model in generalized curvilinear coordinates and incorporate the non-equilibrium effects via proper treatment of the momentum equations. The wall-modeled large-eddy simulation (WMLES) framework is formulated based on the wall model, accomplished via the stretched-vortex subgrid scale (SGS) model for the LES region. Based on this, we develop high-resolution in-house CFD codes, including direct numerical simulation (DNS), wall-resolved simulation (WRLES) and WMLES for wall-bounded turbulence simulations in complex geometries. First, we present LES of flow past different airfoils with Rec, based on the free-stream velocity and airfoil chord length, ranging from 104 to 2.1106. The numerical results are verified with DNS at low Rec, and validated with experimental data at higher Rec, including typical aerodynamic properties such as pressure coefficient distributions, velocity components, and also more challenging measurements such as skin-friction coefficient and Reynolds stresses. The unsteady separation behavior is investigated with skin friction portraits, which reveal a monotonic shrinking of the near wall structure scale. Second, we present LES of turbulent flow in a channel constricted by streamwise periodically distributed hill-shaped protrusions. Two Reynolds number cases, i.e. Reh=10595 and 33000 (based on the hill height and bulk mean velocity through the hill crest), are utilized to verify and validate our WMLES results. All comparisons show reasonable agreement, which enables us to further probe simulation results at higher Reynolds number (Reh=105). The Reynolds number effects are investigated, with emphasis on the mean skin-friction coefficients, separation bubble size and pressure fluctuations. The flow field at the top wall is evaluated with the empirical friction law and log-law as in planar channel flows. Finally, we present DNS of flow past the NACA0012 airfoil (Rec=104, AoA=10) with wavy roughness elements located near the leading edge. The effects of 2D surface roughness on the aerodynamic performance are investigated. For k8, massive separation occurs and almost covers the suction side of the airfoil dominating the airfoil aerodynamic performance.

Generating an adverse pressure gradient (APG), using a rotating cylinder in the proximity of a plane wall under a laminar freestream flow, is studied numerically in this work. The magnitude of the generated APG is a function of the gap, G, between the cylinder and the wall, and the rotational speed of the cylinder, Ω. The flow in such a configuration is characterized by periodic transient vortex shedding at high Reynolds number. A numerical model for the computation of the transient flow for this configuration is developed using the ANSYS CFD simulation tool. The model is validated against published experimental and numerical data for similar flow configurations and excellent agreement is observed. A parametric study is carried out for different combinations of G and Ω for two different Reynolds numbers of 200 and 1000 to examine the development of the resulting separation bubble due to the generated APG. The mechanism of the boundary layer separation over the plane wall and the corresponding wake dynamics is investigated. Results are presented in terms of the distribution of the pressure coefficient as well as skin friction coefficient along the wall and flow patterns around and downstream of the cylinder in the proximity of the wall. The results of these computations confirm that using a rotating cylinder over a plane wall in a freestream flow is an effective technique to generate a controlled range of adverse pressure gradients.

Multiple-layer Lamina Emergent Mechanisms (MLEMs) are mechanisms made from multiple sheets (lamina) of material with motion that emerges out of the fabrication plane. This study has shown that understanding how layers are used in existing products and in nature provides insight into how MLEMs can also use layers to achieve certain tasks. The multi-layered nature of MLEMs and the interactions between these layers are what enhance the capabilities of MLEMs and allow them to better meet design objectives. Layer separation is one objective for which MLEMs are well-suited. Layer separation can have a variety of applications and there are a number of different ways to design a MLEM to achieve this objective. Single-layer LEM and MLEM designs could greatly benefit from suitable actuation techniques; those that are consistent with the advantages of these mechanisms and could be incorporated into their design. This work presents shape memory alloys, piezoelectrics and dielectric elastomers as suitable ways of actuating LEMs and MLEMs. A number of novel MLEMs are presented throughout this thesis.