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Virginia Tech

Effects of Spacing and Geometry of Distributed Roughness Elements on a Two-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layer

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis is a study of the effects of distributed roughness elements on a two-dimensional turbulent boundary layer. Measurements were taken on a total of ten rough wall configurations: four involving Gaussian spikes, and six with circular cylindrical posts. Rough wall flows are particularly suited to study with Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) due to the fact that measurements are required near a solid surface, as well has in highly turbulent fluid. The LDV system used in this study is a fine resolution (~50 micron), three-component, fiber optic system. All mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, and triple products are measured. This study is unique in the range and variety of roughness cases for which data was taken. The data show that the flow over a rough wall is characterized by high levels of turbulence near the roughness element peaks at the interface between low-speed, near-wall fluid and the higher speed fluid above. Behind an element, high-momentum fluid sweeps toward the wall, and there is a small region of ejection of low-momentum fluid. Cylindrical elements typically have larger magnitudes of turbulent stresses at their peaks compared to Gaussian elements. Trends in mean velocity profile parameters such as displacement height, roughness effect, and wake parameter are examined with respect to roughness element geometry and spacing.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Stewart, Devin O.
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Simpson, Roger L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Devenport, William J.
  • Neu, Wayne L.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-10242005-163736
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/35481

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Stewart, Devin O.. Effects of Spacing and Geometry of Distributed Roughness Elements on a Two-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layer. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/35481