Pulsating Flow in a Channel With a Backward-Facing Step

Abstract

The incompressible laminar flow in a channel with a backward-facing step is studied for steady cases and for pulsating inlet flow conditions. For steady flows, the influrnce of the inlet velocity profile, the height of the step, and the Reynolds number on the reattachment length is investigated. A parabolic entrance profile was used for pulsating flow. It was found with amplitude of oscillation of one by Re = 100 that the primary vortex breakdown through one pulsatile cycle and the wall shear stress in the separation zone varied markedly with pulsating inlet flow.