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Investigation of the secondary corner vortex in a benchmark turbulent backward-facing step using cross-correlation particle imaging velocimetry

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Abstract

An experimental study of a turbulent backward-facing step (BFS) was undertaken to investigate the vortex structures behind the step. Attention was given to the secondary vortex because of its poor representation in literature and its potential for evaluating computational turbulence models. A 2D, cross-correlation particle image velocimeter (PIV) was developed, which allowed measurement of the highly turbulent, reversing step flow. Global, high resolution data was obtained for the cross-sectional plane of the BFS and for several other planes parallel to it. Measurement planes across the step revealed the 3D nature of the secondary vortex and an unexpected flow structure was identified. The secondary vortex was found to traverse across the flow, from the cross-sectional plane towards the step edge–sidewall corner.

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Abbreviations

AR :

aspect ratio

d :

particle displacement (m)

Δd :

error in particle displacement (m)

D :

expansion channel height (mm)

D 0 :

inlet channel height (mm)

ER :

expansion ratio

H :

step height (mm)

N :

number of samples

Re H :

Reynolds number based on step height

Sp(x,y):

centre coordinates of primary vortex (mm)

Ss(x,y):

centre coordinates of secondary vortex (mm)

t :

laser pulse separation time (s)

Δt :

error in pulse separation time (s)

U :

horizontal velocity (m/s)

\( {\overline{U} } \)̄:

mean horizontal velocity (m/s)

\( \overline {U^2 } \) :

horizontal velocity variance (m2/s2)

\( \overline {U\infty } \) :

inlet centreline mean velocity (m/s)

\( {\overline{{U^{2}_{\infty } }} } \) :

inlet centreline velocity variance (m2/s2)

V :

vertical velocity (m/s)

VM :

velocity magnitude (m/s)

ΔVM :

error in velocity magnitude (m/s)

W :

step width (mm)

x :

length dimension (mm)

y :

height dimension (mm)

z :

width dimension (mm)

Xr :

shear layer reattachment point (mm)

Xr ∞ :

reattachment point for infinite step width (mm)

Xs :

secondary vortex separation point (mm)

Ys :

secondary vortex reattachment point (mm)

εU :

velocity error (m/s)

ε \( \overline {U} \) :

mean velocity error estimate (m/s)

ε \( \overline {U^2 } \) :

velocity variance error estimate (m2/s2)

δ bot :

bottom inlet boundary layer thickness (mm)

δ top :

top inlet boundary layer thickness (mm)

δ 99 :

0.99\( \overline {U\infty } \) boundary layer thickness (mm)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia 2052

    S. D. Hall, M. Behnia & G. L. Morrison

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia 2052

    C. A. J. Fletcher

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  1. S. D. Hall
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  2. M. Behnia
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  3. C. A. J. Fletcher
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  4. G. L. Morrison
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Correspondence to S. D. Hall.

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Hall, S.D., Behnia, M., Fletcher, C.A.J. et al. Investigation of the secondary corner vortex in a benchmark turbulent backward-facing step using cross-correlation particle imaging velocimetry. Exp Fluids 35, 139–151 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0626-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0626-9

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