Experimental investigations of the stability of channel flows. Part 1. Flow of a single liquid in a rectangular channel

Abstract

The stability of the laminar flow in a rectangular channel with aspect ratio 1:8 was investigated experimentally, with and without artificial excitation. The critical Reynolds number based on the hydraulic diameter and the average velocity was found to be 2600. Behaviour of damped and growing waves, using artificial excitation, was examined in detail. In particular the progress of growing disturbances was followed. Breaking was found to be the ultimate fate of a growing wave. Spectra of growing and damped waves were also obtained. Measurements were made for wavelengths, wave speeds and amplification or damping rates. The neutral stability boundary in the αr, R plane was determined. In the damped region, comparison of several aspects of the behaviour of the measured disturbances with the plane Poiseuille theory for spatial decay yielded good agreement.Three-dimensionality and non-linear subcritical instability were briefly examined. Neutral subcritical waves at low Reynolds numbers appeared possible when the exciter amplitude was quadrupled.The possible bearings of the present study on the stability of plane Poiseuille flow are suggested.