The impact of streamwise convex curvature on the supersonic turbulent boundary layer

Abstract

With an inflow Mach number of 2.95, the isolated impacts of the convex curvature and the streamwise favorable pressure gradient on the supersonic turbulent boundary layer are experimentally investigated by employing particle image velocimetry. An experiment on the convex turbulent boundary layer with a zero streamwise pressure gradient is carefully arranged to investigate the impact of the streamline curvature. The results are compared with the favorable-pressure-gradient case (with pressure gradient parameter β = −0.60). For both of the zero-pressure-gradient and the favorable-pressure-gradient convex boundary layers, the log law is found to be well preserved in the streamwise velocity profile with inner scaling. The streamline convex curvature and the streamwise favorable pressure gradient are found to have similar impacts on the distribution of mean streamwise velocity. They both weaken the boundary layer’s wake strength, as well as the principal strain rate in the near wall region. While both of the convex streamline curvature and the favorable pressure gradient are observed to dampen the streamwise turbulent fluctuation, their effects on the normal fluctuation are opposite. The convex curvature reinforces the normal fluctuation, and its strengthening effect is much stronger than the relaxation effect of the favorable pressure gradient. Retrograde vortices are notably weakened by the favorable pressure gradient, which contributes to the relaxation of turbulence. The impacts of the streamline convex curvature and the streamwise favorable pressure gradient are more notable in the outer layer, while in the near wall region their contributions are weakened.