Cross-flow-type breakdown induced by distributed roughness in the boundary layer of a hypersonic capsule configuration

Abstract

Direct numerical simulations are undertaken to investigate the nature of instability mechanisms induced by singular and distributed roughnesses on a blunt-capsule configuration. On the base of a capsule-like hemispherical forebody at wind-tunnel conditions ($M=5.9$), we analyse the development of unsteady disturbances behind a patch of two different roughness geometries. First, spanwise periodic roughness elements are considered and cross-validation with other methods of the stability analysis is achieved. Two main unstable modes are found in the roughness wake, corresponding to the symmetric and antisymmetric modes already known for single roughness elements. Second, the case of a patch of (pseudo-)randomly distributed roughness is presented. A new type of roughness-induced cross-flow-like instability is observed for the blunt-capsule configuration. The rapid growth of primary and secondary instabilities in the cross-flow-type vortex is analysed and quantified in both the linear and nonlinear stages up to the laminar–turbulent breakdown. Spatio-temporal Fourier analysis is performed to track the onset of secondary instabilities, whereas laminar–turbulent transition is identified by the steep increase of the wall heat flux.