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The instability of a shear layer between two parallel streams

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

Robin E. Esch
Robin E. Esch
Affiliation:
Pierce Hall, Harvard University
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Abstract

An unbounded parallel flow, consisting of a linear shear layer between uniform streams, is investigated for stability. A conventional eigenvalue problem is formulated, and solved by both analytical and numerical methods. The region of instability in the plane of Reynolds number R and disturbance wave number α is determined, and typical growth rates in the unstable region are computed.

Unstable disturbances are found at all values of R. Results for αR > 100 are found to agree closely with inviscid theory results. An analytic method useful for αR < 1 is developed.

The extent to which the present results can be applied to the laminar boundary layer between free streams is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , December 1957 , pp. 289 - 303
Copyright
© 1957 Cambridge University Press

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References

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Rayleigh, Lord 1945 Theory of Sound. New York: Dover.
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