The static pressure field as a driving mechanism for the streamwise corner flow in the presence of an inclined transverse plane

Streamwise corner flows are characterized by the strong interaction among the boundary layers on the two walls that create the junction. The nature of this interaction defines some critical aspects of the corner flow, such as instability and laminar–turbulent transition, turbulence statistics and local shear friction and heat transfer intensities. The studies so far (both experimental and analytical) have investigated the configurations where the mainstream is mostly parallel to both walls. Under such conditions, the interaction is mainly viscous. Hence, a correct understanding of the flow dynamics requires a comprehensive knowledge of the velocity (mean and turbulent) field. In a number, however, of important applications (especially in turbomachinery blades and aircraft wing junctions), the mainstream flow is inclined against the blocking wall. This generates strong pressure gradients that modify significantly the structure of the relevant flowfield. The present study investigates experimentally the significance of the static pressure field associated with such geometries, focusing on the magnitudes and the directions along which the pressure pushes the flow. The results indicate that (1) the basic model explaining the flow interactions near a streamwise corner must be modified, and (2) the presence of an inclined wall modifies the relevant field significantly, by forcing a more intensive rotation on the mainstream, which leads to more intensive streamwise accelerations and wall jet effects near the corner.