Separated-Flow Transition: Part 2 — Experimental Results

Abstract

The present paper focuses on presenting the results of the experimental investigation of the transition process in separated boundary layers on a flat plate at zero incidence, with imposed adverse pressure gradients. The combined effects of Reynolds number and adverse pressure gradient strength on the transition mechanism, bubble geometry, and bubble bursting process are studied. The flow structures and the unsteady aspects associated with separated-flow transition are analyzed for three representative experimental cases. Surface pressure results and detailed boundary layer measurements using hot-wire anemometry are presented as mean and rms velocity profiles, and Reynolds shear stress distribution. Turbulent intermittency and spectral analysis results are briefly introduced.