Review of research on streamwise corner boundary layer

Abstract

This paper is a brief review of recent research on the streamwise corner boundary layer as it affects the component performance evaluation of both the theoretical and practical aircraft design. Typical examples include aircraft wing–body junction, rectangular air intakes, and turbine-hub flow. The paper addresses the questions of what we know and do not know about the streamwise corner boundary layer. Streamwise corner flows are characterized by the presence of secondary flows in the cross-stream planes, which are driven by the normal and secondary-shear components of the Reynolds stress tensor. Extensive studies of analysis for Prandtl's second kind of secondary flows have promoted the understanding of characteristics and formation of streamwise corner boundary layer. However, compared to the flat plate boundary layer, the research on the streamwise corner boundary layer is still far from enough, especially in the similarity solution, the instability, and transition mechanism. In recent years, a significant progress has been achieved in the study on the streamwise corner boundary layer in turbulent flow through direct numerical simulation and stress−ω Reynolds stress model.