Turbulence structure of a reattaching mixing layer

Abstract

Hot-wire measurements of second- and third-order mean products of velocity fluctuations have been made in the flow behind a backward-facing step with a thin, laminar boundary layer at the top of the step. Measurements extend to a distance of about 12 step heights downstream of the step, and include parts of the recirculating-flow region: approximate limits of validity of hot-wire results are given. The Reynolds number based on step height is about 105, the mixing layer being fully turbulent (fully three-dimensional eddies) well before reattachment, and fairly close to self-preservation in contrast to the results of some previous workers. Rapid changes in turbulence quantities occur in the reattachment region: Reynolds shear stress and triple products decrease spectacularly, mainly because of the confinement of the large eddies by the solid surface. The terms in the turbulent energy and shear stress balances also change rapidly but are still far from the self-preserving boundary-layer state even at the end of the measurement region.