Formation of three-dimensional structures on the transition to turbulence in boundary layers

Experiments have established that there are two main qualitatively different regimes of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and an intermediate regime which possesses the characteristic features of both. These regimes reflect the different ways in which a two-dimensional wave pattern can be transformed into a three-dimensional one; they must be a consequence of the initial conditions. The aim of the investigation reported in the present work was to analyze these regimes by systematically varying the initial data, to demonstrate the possibility of controlling the nature of the transition, to obtain some data to test theoretical models of the development of three-dimensional wave patterns on transition, and to make further experimental investigations of the transition mechanisms. 1985 Plenum Publishing Corporation.

Formation of three-dimensional structures on the transition to turbulence in boundary layers Academic Article