Laminar Boundary-Layer Breakdown

Abstract

The objective of the work is to use dynamical system theory to determine the mechanisms that are responsible for the breakdown of laminar flows and to investigate the possibility of modifying the transition process to affect the subsequent well-developed turbulence structure. Experiments performed in low-disturbance wind-tunnels established two scenarios for the laminar-boundary- layer breakdown: the fundamental- and subharmonic-modes of breakdown. The experimental observations of the subharmonic breakdown are very similar to our observations of the breakdown of regular motions in metallic and composite structural systems into chaotic motions. Therefore, we used dynamical system theory to conduct an analysis for the subharmonic breakdown in boundary layers similar to the one we successfully used to explain the breakdown in the response of the structural systems. The results can be used to modify the breakdown process and hence the resulting turbulent motion.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 07, 1992
Accession Number
ADA254489

Entities

People

  • Ali. H. Nayfeh

Organizations

  • Virginia Tech

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Boundary Layer
  • Boundary Layer Transition
  • Engineering
  • Flow
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Heat Transfer
  • Laminar Boundary Layer
  • Laminar Flow
  • Layers
  • Mach Number
  • Mechanics
  • Physics
  • Pressure Gradients
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.