The velocity field created by a shallow bump in a boundary layer

Abstract

The results of measurements of the disturbance velocity field generated in a boundary layer by a shallow three-dimensional bump oscillating at a very low frequency on the surface of a flat plate are reported. The disturbance was entirely confined to the boundary layer. Profiles of the mean velocity, the disturbance velocity at the fundamental frequency, and at the first harmonic are presented. These profiles were measured both upstream and downstream of the oscillating bump. About 100 boundary layer thicknesses downstream of the bump the intensity had a maximum near η=2, with a magnitude of about 0.2%. Measurements of the disturbance velocity were also made at various spanwise and downstream locations at a fixed distance from the boundary of one displacement thickness. The spanwise profiles of the disturbance field changed dramatically from the near-field region of the bump to the far downstream region. Finally, the spanwise spectrum of the disturbances at three locations downstream of the bump are presented. The spanwise spectrum of the disturbance showed a primary peak consistent with the motion and geometry of the driver. This peak decreased slowly with downstream distance. In addition, a small secondary peak in the spanwise spectrum was apparent near the bump. This peak increased rapidly with downstream distance.