An experimental investigation of a large-scale structure of a two-dimensional backward-facing step by using advanced multi-point LDV

Abstract

Measurements of spatio–temporal velocity fields at the separated shear layer and reattachment region of a two-dimensional backward-facing step flow are carried out simultaneously using a multi-point LDV. The objective of this paper is to clarify experimentally the structure of a large-scale structure of this flow field using a space and time correlation and conditional average. From the results of the correlation of the velocity fluctuation, the moving path of the vortex shedding from the separated shear layer to the reattachment region exhibits two patterns which it moves to near the wall region or the middle of the step height at the reattachment region. Especially, it moves to near the wall region when it grows larger in the separated shear layer. Moreover, the turbulence concerned with reattachment phenomenon transports from the reattachment region to a separated shear layer by recirculation flow. According to these transports of turbulence, a model for large-scale fluctuation is proposed as a self-excitation motion.