Direct simulation of a turbulent boundary layer up to <i>R</i>_θ = 1410

Abstract

The turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate, with zero pressure gradient, is simulated numerically at four stations between R θ = 225 and R θ = 1410. The three-dimensional time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a spectral method with up to about 10 7 grid points. Periodic spanwise and streamwise conditions are applied, and a multiple-scale procedure is applied to approximate the slow streamwise growth of the boundary layer. The flow is studied, primarily, from a statistical point of view. The solutions are compared with experimental results. The scaling of the mean and turbulent quantities with Reynolds number is compared with accepted laws, and the significant deviations are documented. The turbulence at the highest Reynolds number is studied in detail. The spectra are compared with various theoretical models. Reynolds-stress budget data are provided for turbulence-model testing.