Turbulent Drag Reduction by Streamwise Traveling Waves of Wall-Normal Forcing

Abstract

We review some fundamentals of turbulent drag reduction and the turbulent drag reduction techniques using streamwise traveling waves of blowing/suction from the wall and wall deformation. For both types of streamwise traveling wave controls, their significant drag reduction capabilities have been well confirmed by direct numerical simulation at relatively low Reynolds numbers. The drag reduction mechanisms by these streamwise traveling waves are considered to be the combination of direct effects due to pumping and indirect effects of the attenuation of velocity fluctuations due to reduced receptivity. Prediction of their drag reduction capabilities at higher Reynolds numbers and attempts at experimental validation are also intensively ongoing toward their practical implementation.