Transition of boundary layer flows in the presence of Goertler vortices

Abstract

Transition of boundary layer flows in the presence of longitudinal counter-rotating Goertler vortices was experimentally investigated on a concave surface of 1.0 m radius of curvature in a perspex (plexiglass) curved rectangular duct connected to a low speed wind tunnel for a free-stream velocity range of 5.7-11.8 m/s. Quantitative measurements were carried out using a single sensor hot-wire anemometer, while the boundary layer transitions were detected using frequency spectrum method. The results confirm that in the presence of Goertler vortices, transition is initiated at the boundary layer upwash regions, and also agree well with the predicted values obtained using the two existing empirical transition criteria for concave surface boundary layer flows. © 1989 Springer-Verlag.