Optimal disturbances above and upstream a flat plate with an elliptic leading edge

• Adjoint-based iterative methods are employed in order to compute linear optimal disturbances in a spatially growing boundary layer around an elliptic leading edge. The Lagrangian approach is used where an objective function is chosen and constraints are assigned. The optimisation problem is solved using power iterations combined with a matrix-free formulation, where the state is marched forward in time with a standard DNS solver and backward with the adjoint solver until a chosen convergence criterion is fulfilled. We consider the global and the upstream localised optimal initial condition leading to the largest possible energy amplification at time T. We found that the twodimensional initial condition with the largest potential for growth is a Tolmien-Schlichting-like wave packet that includes the Orr mechanism and is located inside the boundary layer, downstream of the leading edge. Three-dimensional disturbances induce streaks by the lift-up mechanism. Localised optimal initial condition enables us to better study the effects of the leading edge; with this approach we propose a new method to study receptivity. Two-dimensional upstream disturbances, are inefficient at triggering an unstable eigenmode. The three-dimensional disturbances instead induce elongated streamwise streaks; both the global and upstream localised disturbances give significant growth. This advocates for high receptivity to three-dimensional disturbances.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Annan materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Other Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Other engineering mechanics

Övrig teknisk mekanik

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

rap (subject category)