Boussinesq global modes and stability sensitivity, with applications to stratified wakes

Abstract

For the Boussinesq equations, we present a theory of linear stability sensitivity to base flow density and velocity modifications. Given a steady-state flow with small density variations, the sensitivity of the stability eigenvalues is computed from the direct and adjoint global modes of the linearised Boussinesq equations, similarly to Marquetet al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 615, 2008, pp. 221–252). Combinations of the density and velocity components of these modes reveal multiple production and transport mechanisms that contribute to the eigenvalue sensitivity. We present an application of the sensitivity theory to a stably linearly density-stratified flow around a thin plate at a$90^{\circ }$angle of attack, a Reynolds number of 30 and Froude numbers of 1, 8 and$\infty$. The global mode analysis reveals lightly damped undulations pervading through the entire domain, which are predicted by both inviscid uniform base flow theory and Orr–Sommerfeld theory. The sensitivity to base flow velocity modifications is primarily concentrated just downstream of the bluff body. On the other hand, the sensitivity to base flow density modifications is concentrated in regions both immediately upstream and immediately downstream of the plate. Both sensitivities have a greater upstream presence for lower Froude numbers.