Experimental Investigation of the Crossflow Instability in Moderate Freestream Turbulence Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The crossflow instability that arises in swept-wing boundary layers is sensitive to freestream turbulence and surface roughness. Although the effects of these disturbance sources comprise a wide body of existing research, there has been little work focusing on low to moderate levels of freestream turbulence (0.02% to 0.2%). Comparison of the results from low-turbulence wind tunnels suggests that freestream turbulence in this range may play a role beyond traveling mode initiation. Development of the stationary crossflow mode in moderate levels of freestream turbulence is measured in the boundary layer of a 45-degree swept wing. Compared with the baseline turbulence level of 0.02%, a reduction in the stationary disturbance amplitudes is observed for turbulence intensities as low as 0.05%. The uncertainties in these measurements are estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. 2012 by the authors.

name of conference

  • 42nd AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit

published proceedings

  • 42nd AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference and Exhibit

author list (cited authors)

  • Downs, R., Lovig, E., & White, E.

citation count

  • 3

complete list of authors

  • Downs, Robert||Lovig, Erica||White, Edward

publication date

  • January 2012