Concave-wall turbulent boundary layers without and with free-stream turbulence

TL;DR

This study uses direct numerical simulations to analyze how free-stream turbulence influences turbulent boundary layers over a concave wall, revealing effects on skin friction, flow separation, and coherent structure amplification.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the impact of free-stream turbulence on concave-wall boundary layers, including flow recovery and G"ortler structure behavior.

Findings

Free-stream turbulence reduces reverse flow probability.

It accelerates boundary layer recovery downstream.

G"ortler structures are amplified and more coherent with turbulence.

Abstract

Direct numerical simulations are performed to contrast turbulent boundary layers over a concave wall without and with free-stream turbulence. Adverse pressure gradient near the onset of curvature leads to sharp decrease in skin friction and intermittent separation. The presence of free-stream turbulence reduces the probability of reverse flow, accelerates the recovery of the boundary layer in the downstream zero-pressure gradient region, and leads to a sustained and appreciable increase in the skin friction. The forcing also promotes the amplification of coherent G\"ortler structures in the logarithmic layer of the curved-wall boundary layer. Statistically, the spanwise and wall-normal Reynolds stresses intensify and the radial distance between their peaks increases downstream as the G\"ortler structures expand. The Reynolds shear stress coefficient also increases in the logarithmic layer in contrast to a decrease when a flat-plate boundary layer is exposed to free-stream turbulence. In addition, the more coherent and energetic roll motions in the forced flow promote mixing of free-stream and boundary-layer fluids, where the former is seen more often deep within the buffer layer.