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Particle image velocimetry of a low-Reynolds-number separation bubble

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Abstract

Boundary-layer separation at a backward-facing step of a flat plate has been investigated in a low-turbulence wind tunnel with high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The experiments focused on the flow pattern behind the step at the Reynolds number based on its height of about 1,000. Under quiet environmental and low-Re-number conditions, laminar-flow separation was observed behind the step subjected to a small amount of the shear-layer instability. Examination of natural and controlled velocity perturbations in the separation region indicated that the version of PIV used in the present study is an appropriate tool to deal with linear instability details that is normally done through hot-wire measurements.

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Abbreviations

f :

Oscillation frequency

h :

Step height

H :

Shape factor

Re:

Reynolds number

U :

Streamwise component of the mean-flow velocity

U 0 :

External-flow velocity at the step position

u :

Amplitude of the streamwise velocity perturbations

V :

Normal component of the mean-flow velocity

v :

Amplitude of the normal velocity perturbations

x :

Streamwise coordinate

y :

Normal-to-wall coordinate

z :

Transverse coordinate

α i :

Spatial growth rate of velocity disturbances

β H :

Hartree parameter

δ*:

Displacement thickness

θ :

Momentum thickness

ν :

Kinematic viscosity

r:

Reattachment

s:

Separation

′:

Root-mean-square (rms)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for sponsorship of the Institutional Academic Co-operation between the Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, SB RAS, Novosibirsk and the Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, DLR, Göttingen, which made this common research work possible. Preparation of the research data for publication was also supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (grant No. RNP.2.1.2.541). Contribution of Andreas Lauterbach to the examination of acoustic oscillations in the wind tunnel test section is highly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Khristianovich Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Institutskaya St. 4/1, 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia

    A. Boiko & A. Dovgal

  2. Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Bunsenstrasse 10, 37073, Göttingen, Germany

    S. Hein

  3. Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (ILR), Technical University of Berlin, Marchstr. 12-14, 10587, Berlin, Germany

    A. Henning

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  1. A. Boiko
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  2. A. Dovgal
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  3. S. Hein
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  4. A. Henning
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Correspondence to A. Dovgal.

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Boiko, A., Dovgal, A., Hein, S. et al. Particle image velocimetry of a low-Reynolds-number separation bubble. Exp Fluids 50, 13–21 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-010-0887-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-010-0887-z

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