Planar visualizations of large-scale turbulent structures in axisymmetric supersonic base flows

Christopher J. Bourdon, Kenneth M. Smith, J. Craig Dutton, Tarun Mathur

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

The spatial evolution of large-scale turbulent structures in an axisymmetric, supersonic base flow has been investigated. The experimental diagnostic used was planar visualization of condensed ethanol droplets that were suspended in the supersonic freestream. Spatial correlation analyses of large ensembles of images show that the mean side-view structure is highly strained and elliptical in shape and is inclined toward the local freestream direction. It is also shown that the effect of lateral streamline convergence for this axisymmetric case causes a reduction in structure size and eccentricity at the reattachment point. End-view structures are wedge-shaped, wider on the freestream side than on the recirculating or developing wake side. It is concluded that the wedge shape is caused by the axisymmetric confinement of the shear layer as it approaches the wake centerline. The average number of structures present in the endview plane decreases significantly from 10-14 at recompression to 4-5 in the developing wake region. Evidence of an amalgamation of end-view structures in the images at the reattachment point illustrates one of the mechanisms responsible for this reduction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes
Event36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 1998 - Reno, United States
Duration: Jan 12 1998Jan 15 1998

Other

Other36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 1998
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityReno
Period1/12/981/15/98

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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