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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Some unsteady features of turbulent boundary layers

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

For steady free-stream, zero and favorable pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers, the unsteadiness in the form of turbulent fluctuations was investigated. Phase ensemble-averaged flow characteristics of a large amplitude periodic unsteady turbulent boundary layer was also investigated at a reduced frequency k = 0.61 based on the length of the converging and diverging test section with amplitude to mean velocity ratio of 0.8. In steady flow cases, both zero and favorable pressure gradient flows show good two-dimensional flow characteristics and mean flow characteristics are compared with other researchers’ data. Measured power spectral data show good agreement with those of Klebanoff, Ueda and Hinze, Perry, Lim and Henbest for the zero pressure gradient flows and Jones and Launder for the favorable pressure gradient flow. The power spectral data measured in the turbulent wall region of the zero pressure gradient flow closely follow the model equation proposed by Perry, Lim and Henbest. Convective wave speed also show good agreement with those of Favre, Gaviglio and Dumas and Sternberg within the experimental uncertainties. In the inner region of the boundary layer where y+ < 40, convective wave speed is higher than local mean velocity at all eddy scales as observed by Kline, Reynolds, Schraub and Runstadler. In the unsteady flow case, in the absence of flow reversal, the flow behaves in a quasi-steady manner and can be described by the steady flow structure as in the case of moderate amplitude flows. The Ludwieg·Tillmann skin friction equation and the Perry-Schofield universal velocity defect law hold at these phases. Except the laminariscent velocity profile observed during the acceleration phases, the large amplitude unsteady flow shows basically the same flow characteristics as the moderate amplitude flows.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1986

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Ahn, Seungki
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Simpson, Roger L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Marchman, James F. III
  • Neu, Wayne L.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53090
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/53090

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
related terms
citation

Ahn, Seungki. Some unsteady features of turbulent boundary layers. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53090