Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T22:32:41.826Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Measurements of turbulent flow downstream of a rearward-facing step

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2006

D. W. Etheridge
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Municipal Engineering, University College London Present address: British Gas Corporation, Watson House, Peterborough Road, London SW6.
P. H. Kemp
Affiliation:
Department of Civil and Municipal Engineering, University College London

Abstract

Measurements have been made in a water channel of the flow in and around the separation region due to a rearward-facing step. Detailed profiles of mean velocities, turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress are presented. The turbulence measurements reveal the development of a new shear layer, which splits at reattachment with about one-sixth of the mass flow deflected upstream. The new shear layer is associated with a region of roughly constant values of both the non-dimensional mixing length l/x and the shear correlation coefficient K. The mixing-length ratio is larger than that found in plane mixing layers, whereas the shear coefficient is roughly the same. There is strong evidence that near the wall the length scales increase more rapidly with distance from the wall than in an attached boundary layer, and that a local maximum occurs.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1978 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abbot, D. E. & Kline, S. J. 1962 Trans. A.S.M.E., J. Basic Engng 84, 317.
Bradshaw, P. & Wong, F. Y. F. 1972 J. Fluid Mech. 52, 113.
George, W. K. & Lumley, J. L. 1973 J. Fluid Mech. 60, 321.
Grant, I., Barnes, F. H. & Created, C. A. 1975 Phys. Fluids 18, 504.
Hunt, J. C. R. 1973 J. Fluid Mech. 61, 625.
Launder, B. E. & Spalding, D. B. 1972 Mathematical Models of Turbulence. Academic Press.
Mojola, O. O. & Young, A. D. 1971 AGARD Conf. Turbulent Shear Flows, London, AGARD Conf. Proc. no. 93–71.
Oldengarm, J., Van krieken, A. H. & Raterink, H. J. 1973 Optics Laser Tech. 5 (6), 249.
Patel, V. C. 1961 J. Fluid Mech. 11, 185.
Raudkivi, A. J. 1963 J. Hyd. Div., Proc. A.S.C.E. 89 (HY6), 15.
Stratford, B. 1964 J. Fluid Mech. 5, 1.
Townsend, A. A. 1956 The Structure of Turbulent Shear Flow. Cambridge University Press.
Townsend, A. A. 1961 J. Fluid Mech. 11, 97.
Townsend, A. A. 1970 J. Fluid Mech. 41, 13.