The effects of freestream turbulence on the generation of crossflow disturbances in swept-wing boundary-layers are investigated through direct numerical simulations (DNS). The geometry and flow conditions correspond to those of experiments by [3] and [1]. In present study, we generate the isotropic homogenous freestream turbulence through DNS trying to match the characteristics of that measured in the experiments. The generated freestream fields are then applied as the inflow boundary condition for DNS of flow over the wing. Further, as in the experiments, a row of distributed roughness elements are placed near the leading edge to generate stationary crossflow disturbances. The effects of the generated freestream turbulence on the initial amplitudes of the boundary layer perturbations are then studied. Additionally their influences on the transition location are examined. 

A direct numerical simulation database of the flow around a NACA4412 wing section at R e (c) = 400,000 and 5(ay) angle of attack (Hosseini et al. Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 61, 117-128, 2016), obtained with the spectral-element code Nek5000, is analyzed. The Clauser pressure-gradient parameter beta ranges from ae integral 0 and 85 on the suction side, and from 0 to - 0.25 on the pressure side of the wing. The maximum R e (oee integral) and R e (tau) values are around 2,800 and 373 on the suction side, respectively, whereas on the pressure side these values are 818 and 346. Comparisons between the suction side with zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer data show larger values of the shape factor and a lower skin friction, both connected with the fact that the adverse pressure gradient present on the suction side of the wing increases the wall-normal convection. The adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layer also exhibits a more prominent wake region, the development of an outer peak in the Reynolds-stress tensor components, and increased production and dissipation across the boundary layer. All these effects are connected with the fact that the large-scale motions of the flow become relatively more intense due to the adverse pressure gradient, as apparent from spanwise premultiplied power-spectral density maps. The emergence of an outer spectral peak is observed at beta values of around 4 for lambda (z) ae integral 0.65 delta (99), closer to the wall than the spectral outer peak observed in zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers at higher R e (oee integral) . The effect of the slight favorable pressure gradient present on the pressure side of the wing is opposite the one of the adverse pressure gradient, leading to less energetic outer-layer structures.

Abstract A three-dimensional direct numerical simulation has been performed to study the turbulent flow around the asymmetric NACA4412 wing section at a moderate chord Reynolds number of R e c = 400 , 000 , with an angle of attack of A o A = 5 ∘ . The mesh was optimized to properly resolve all relevant scales in the flow, and comprises around 3.2 billion grid points. The incompressible spectral-element Navier–Stokes solver Nek5000 was used to carry out the simulation. An unsteady volume force is used to trip the flow to turbulence on both sides of the wing at 10% of the chord. Full turbulence statistics are computed in addition to collection of time history data in selected regions. The Reynolds numbers on the suction side reach Reτ ≃ 373 and R e Ξ = 2 , 800 with the pressure-gradient parameter ranging from β ≈ 0.0 to β ≈ 85. Similarly, on the pressure side, the Reynolds numbers reach Reτ ≈ 346 and R e Ξ = 818 while β changes from β ≈ 0.0 to β ≈ − 0.25 . The effect of adverse pressure gradients on the mean flow is consistent with previous observations, namely a steeper incipient log law, a more prominent wake region and a lower friction. The turbulence kinetic energy profiles show a progressively larger inner peak for increasing pressure gradient, as well as the emergence and development of an outer peak with stronger APGs. The present simulation shows the potential of high-order (spectral) methods in simulating complex external flows at moderately high Reynolds numbers.

A three dimensional direct numerical simulation has been performed to study the flow around the asymmetric NACA-4412 wing at a moderate chord Reynolds number (Rec = 400, 000) with an angle of attack of 5◦. The flow case under investigation poses numerous challenges for a numerical method due to the wide range of scales and complicated flow physics induced by the geometry. The mesh is optimized and well resolved to account for such varying scales in the flow. An unsteady volume force is used to trip the flow to turbulence on both sides of the wing at 10% chord. Full turbulent statistics are computed on the fly to further investigate the complicated flow features around the wing. The present simulation shows the potential of high-order methods in simulating complex external flows at moderately high Reynolds numbers. 

The results of a DNS of the flow around a wing section represented by a NACA4412 profile, with Rec = 400,000 and 5° angle of attack, are presented in this study. The high-order spectral element code Nek5000 is used for the computations. An initial RANS simulation is used to define the velocity boundary conditions, and to design the computational mesh. The agreement between spanwise- and time-averaged fields from the DNS and the RANS simulation is excellent. The mean flow and several components of the Reynolds stress tensor at x/c = 0.4 (β = 0.53) and 0.8 (β = 4.54) are compared with the ZPG boundary layer computed by Schlatter & Orlu (2010). In both cases, the friction Reynolds number is roughly matched (330 and 450), and as expected the Reg values from the wing (720 and 1,800) are larger than the ones from the ZPG case (612 and 1,007). The APG leads to a steeper log law, a more prominent wake region and a larger U+e. The tangential turbulence intensity exhibits a stronger inner peak, and starts to develop an outer peak. We also show that the impact on the spanwise component is significant, and also on the wall-normal intensity and the Reynolds shear stress for stronger pressure gradients, especially in the outer region.

The effect of freestream turbulence on generation of crossflow disturbances over swept wings is investigated through direct nu- merical simulations. The set up follows the experiments performed by Downs et al. (2012). In these experiments the authors use ASU(67)-0315 wing geometry which promotes growth of crossflow disturbances. Distributed roughness elements are locally placed near the leading edge with a given spanwise wavenumber to excite the corresponding stationary crossflow vortices. In present study, we partially reproduce the isotropic homogenous freestream turbulence through direct numerical simulations using freestream spectrum data from the experiments. The generated freestream fields are then applied as the inflow boundary condition for direct numerical simulation of the wing. The distributed roughness elements are modelled through wing surface deformation and placed near the leading edge to trigger the stationary crossflow disturbances. The effects of the generated freestream turbulence on the initial amplitudes and growth of the boundary layer perturbations are then studied.

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) have been performed in order to investigate the interaction of freestream turbulence and crossflow generated instability on a swept wing. The experiments by [3] and [1] are selected as the reference cases. In those experiments the authors explore the interaction between different freestream turbulence characteristics and different roughness element characteristics. In the current study, isotropic homogenous freestream turbulence are generated following experimental parameters and then fed as the inflow boundary condition for DNS of flow over the wing. A spanwise array of roughness elements corresponding to the most unstable stationary modes are used to generate the crossflow vortices. The effects of the freestream turbulence on the crossflow instability and transition to turbulence are later studied. 

The global non-modal stability of the flow in a right-angled streamwise corner is investigated. Spatially confined linear optimal initial conditions and responses are obtained by use of direct-adjoint looping. Two base states are considered, the classical self-similar solution for a zero streamwise pressure gradient, and a modified solution that mimics leading-edge effects commonly observed in experimental studies. The latter solution is obtained in a reverse engineering fashion from published measurement data. Prior to the global analysis, a classical local linear stability and sensitivity analysis of both base states is conducted. It is found that the base-flow modification drastically reduces the critical Reynolds number through an inviscid mechanism, the so-called corner mode. A survey of the geometry of the two base states confirms that the modification greatly aggravates the inflectional nature of the flow. Global optimals are calculated for subcritical and supercritical Reynolds numbers, and for two finite optimization times. The optimal initial conditions are found to be self-confined in the spanwise directions, and symmetric with respect to the corner bisector. They evolve into streaks or streamwise modulated wavepackets, depending on the base state. Substantial transient growth caused by the Orr mechanism and the lift-up effect is observed.

The effect of freestream turbulence on generation of crossflow disturbances over swept wings is investigated through direct numerical simulations.  The set up follows  the  experiments  performed  by Downs  et  al.  in their  TAMU  experi- ment.  In this experiment the authors use ASU(67)-0315 wing geometry which promotes  growth  of crossflow  disturbances.   Distributed  roughness  elements are locally placed near the leading edge with a span-wise wavenumber, to ex- cite the corresponding crossflow vortices.  The response of boundary layer to external disturbances such as roughness heights, span-wise wavenumbers, Rey- nolds numbers and freestream turbulence characteristics are studied.  It must be noted that the experiments were conducted at a very low level of freestream turbulence  intensity  (T u).   In this  study,  we fully  reproduce the  freestream isotropic homogenous turbulence through a DNS code using detailed freestream spectrum data provided by the experiment. The generated freestream fields are then applied as the inflow boundary condition for direct numerical simulation of the wing. The geometrical set up is the same as the experiment along with application of distributed roughness elements near the leading edge to precipi- tate stationary crossflow disturbances.  The effects of the generated freestream turbulence are then studied on the initial amplitudes and growth of the bound- ary layer perturbations.  It appears that the freestream turbulence damps out the dominant stationary crossflow vortices.