Laminar-Turbulent Transition in Swept-Wing Flows with a Supercritical Forward-Facing Step

Achieving and maintaining laminar flow on large swept lifting surfaces of subsonic aircraft poses a considerable challenge.

Passive stabilization of crossflow instabilities by a reverse lift-up effect

A novel mechanism is identified, through which a spanwise-invariant surface feature (a two-dimensional forward-facing step) significantly stabilizes the stationary crossflow instability of a three-dimensional boundary layer. The mechanism is termed here as reverse lift-up effect, inasmuch as it acts reversely to the classic lift-up effect;...

Secondary instabilities in swept-wing boundary layers: Direct Numerical Simulations and BiGlobal stability analysis

The evolution of secondary instabilities in a three-dimensional stationary-crossflow-domina- ted boundary layer is investigated by means of Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) and linear spanwise BiGlobal stability analysis. Single-frequency unsteady disturbances and a critical stationary crossflow mode are considered. Unsteady perturbation...

Direct numerical simulation of interaction between a stationary crossflow instability and forward-facing steps

The interaction between forward-facing steps of several heights and a pre-existing critical stationary crossflow instability of a swept-wing boundary layer is analysed. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are performed of the incompressible three-dimensional laminar base flow and the stationary distorted flow that arise from the interaction...

Mechanisms of interaction between a stationary crossflow instability and backward-facing steps

Mechanisms of interaction between stationary crossflow instabilities and forward-facing steps

We study the interaction between a stationary crossflow instability and forward-facing steps in a swept-wing boundary layer using Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). The station- ary primary crossflow mode is imposed at the inflow. Steps of several heights are modeled. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring a fully stationary solution, in...