Experiments on the stability of the flat-plate boundary layer with suction

Experiments have been conducted in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Stability Wind Tunnel on a flat plate fitted with porous suction panels. Detailed hot-wire measurements were conducted in the laminar boundary layer to investigate the stabilizing effects of suction on the growth of Tollmien-Schlichting waves, which were introduced into the boundary layer using a vibrating ribbon. Special care was taken to minimize external disturbances and to avoid extraneous experimental bias. The measurements, which included mean-flow and disturbance-amplitude profiles across the boundary layer, showed that suction applied through discrete porous strips can be as effective as suction applied continuously over a much longer streamwise length. The measurements also showed that suction is more effective when placed forward, nearer to the region of neutral stability, than when placed in the region of maximum growth rate. These results also provided meaningful comparison with recent theory. 1986 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.

Experiments on the stability of the flat-plate boundary layer with suction Academic Article