A theory of three-dimensional incompressible flow separation is presented in terms of the on-wall signatures of the flow. Some long-standing controversial issues are revisited and answers given, such as the inconsistency of the separation criteria based on the topological theory and “open separation,” and whether a separation line is an asymptote or envelope of neighboring skin-friction lines. General criteria for identifying an “open” or “closed” flow separation zone and separation line (including the initial point of the latter), steady and unsteady, are obtained, which apply to a generic smooth curved wall at any Reynolds numbers. The criteria are found to be most clearly given in terms of on-wall signatures of vorticity dynamics. These are then specified to steady boundary layer separation at large Reynolds numbers. A scale analysis under mild assumptions leads to a three-dimensional triple-deck structure near a generic boundary layer separation line. Criteria are presented for “separation watch,” which tells that a boundary-layer may soon break away, and for “separation warning,” which identifies the vorticity characteristics in an already formed boundary-layer separation zone and along a boundary-layer separation line. Flow behavior and its dependence on outer flow conditions are examined qualitatively. A numerical example is given which confirms the predictions of the theory.
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August 2000
Research Article|
August 01 2000
A vorticity dynamics theory of three-dimensional flow separation
J. Z. Wu;
J. Z. Wu
The University of Tennessee Space Institute, B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388-9700
State Key Laboratory for Turbulence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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R. W. Tramel;
R. W. Tramel
Micro Craft Inc., 207 Big Springs Avenue, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388-0370
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F. L. Zhu;
F. L. Zhu
The University of Tennessee Space Institute, B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
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X. Y. Yin
X. Y. Yin
University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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J. Z. Wu
,
R. W. Tramel
F. L. Zhu
X. Y. Yin
The University of Tennessee Space Institute, B. H. Goethert Parkway, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388-9700
Physics of Fluids 12, 1932–1954 (2000)
Article history
Received:
July 15 1999
Accepted:
May 04 2000
Citation
J. Z. Wu, R. W. Tramel, F. L. Zhu, X. Y. Yin; A vorticity dynamics theory of three-dimensional flow separation. Physics of Fluids 1 August 2000; 12 (8): 1932–1954. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.870442
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