Response of a hypersonic turbulent boundary layer to favourable pressure gradients

Abstract

AbstractThe role of streamline curvature-driven favourable pressure gradients in modifying the turbulence structure of a Mach 4.9, high-Reynolds-number (${\mathit{Re}}_{\theta } = 43\hspace{0.167em} 000$) boundary layer is examined. Three pressure gradient cases ($\beta = (\mathrm{d} p/ \mathrm{d} x)({\delta }^{\ast } / {\tau }_{w} )= 0. 07, - 0. 3$ and $- 1. 0$) are characterized via particle image velocimetry. The expected stabilizing trends in the Reynolds stresses are observed, with a sign reversal in the Reynolds shear stress in the outer part of the boundary layer for the strongest favourable pressure gradient considered. The increased transverse normal strain rate and reduced principal strain rate are the primary factors. Reynolds stress quadrant events are redistributed, such that the relative differences between the quadrant magnitudes decreases. Very little preferential quadrant mode selection is observed for the strongest pressure gradient considered. Two-point correlations suggest that the turbulent structures are reoriented to lean farther away from the wall, accompanied by a slight reduction in their characteristic size, consistent with previous flow visualization studies. This reorientation is more pronounced in the outer, dilatation-dominated region of the boundary layer, whereas the alteration in structure size is more pronounced nearer the wall, where the principal strain rates are larger. In addition, integration of a simplified form of a Reynolds stress transport closure model provided a framework to assess the role of the strain-rate field on the observed Reynolds shear stresses. Given the simple geometry, the present data provide a suitable test bed for Reynolds stress transport and large-eddy model development and validation.