Abstract
SUMMARY The neutral stability of spanwise-periodic mean flows to three-dimensional TollmienSchlichting (TS) disturbances is considered theoretically and numerically. The flows under consideration are (i) a triple-deck flow with a simple pressure-displacement law and (ii) a boundary layer flow on the point of separation. In both cases the stability problem is formulated and a necessary condition for the existence of neutral solutions is derived. Using a numerical approach we show that this condition is not met in case (i) for any periodic spanwise dependence and in case (ii) provided spanwise variations in the mean flow are sufficiently small. This means that neutral waves are not rendered possible by a three-dimensional skin friction in case (i) and are unlikely to exist in case (ii) for physically realistic mean flows. The implications of these results with regard to the possibility of the occurrence of vortex-TS interactions in such flows is discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
