Effects of a downstream disturbance on the structure of a turbulent plane mixing layer

Abstract

Using a two-dimensional airfoil, a disturbance was introduced into a plane mixing layer some distance downstream of the splitter plate trailing edge. Results indicate that it is possible to induce very large changes in the layer growth rate downstream of the disturbance location, while leaving the portion of the shear layer between the splitter plate and the disturbance source essentially unaffected. Furthermore, the use of forcing for modification of the mixing layer in the region upstream of the disturbance is demonstrated. It Is shown that two different mechanisms are responsible for coupling such disturbances to the flow in the present forcing of upstream and downstream regions.