Compressibility effects on large structures and entrainment length scales in mixing layers

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Abstract

In this work, three-component planar velocity measurements are analyzed to identify the effects of compressibility on mixing layer turbulence, with a focus on the evolution of large-scale structures, dominant spatial eigenmodes, and entrainment length scales. Velocity measurements obtained via stereoscopic particle image velocimetry for five different dual-stream air planar mixing layers with convective Mach numbers of Mc 0.19, 0.38, 0.55, 0.69, and 0.88 are analyzed. Results of two-point correlations reveal that length scales of the streamwise velocity fluctuations increase in both the streamwise and transverse directions, whereas the length scales of the transverse velocity fluctuations decrease in the transverse direction. To further investigate these trends, the spatial organization, shape, and dynamics of large-scale turbulent structures are examined via two-dimensional spatial velocity correlations, proper orthogonal decomposition, and linear stochastic estimation. These quantitative techniques support qualitative findings in the literature that report coherent, round roller structures in incompressible mixing layers becoming flattened and elongated longitudinally with increased compressibility. This evolution is likely due to a dominant pulsing motion present for the higher Mc cases and can be linked to compressibility effects on the entrainment mechanisms. Length scales of entrainment are determined using autocorrelations of normal flow velocity components along instantaneously identified turbulent/non-turbulent interfaces and are found to decrease with increasing Mc . This result can heuristically be interpreted as small-scale nibbling being dominant for higher Mc, whereas larger-scale engulfment contributes more in nearly incompressible mixing layers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5168-5182
Number of pages15
JournalAIAA journal
Volume58
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering

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