Three-dimensional Turbulent Supersonic Flow over a Plate

The process of laminar-turbulent transition in a boundary layer is studied in terms of vortex evolution, from the growth of weak external disturbances to the formation of intense waves resulting in the development of a turbulent flow having internal scales of the problem. The self-sustained turbulence is obtained and the flow patterns on the plate surface and inside the turbulent boundary layer with fluid plumes propagating from the plate surface in the form of "bursting" are investigated. The basic flow parameters are calculated, such as the frequency and intensity of gas velocity fluctuations in turbulent spots. The validity of a local turbulence similarity law is confirmed. The study is performed on the basis of direct numerical simulation of a flow over a plate with Mach number M = 2 using unsteady Navier-Stokes equations without any closure model of turbulence. Key words: supersonic flow, laminar and turbulent flow, Tollmien-Schlichting waves, turbulent spots DOI: 10.1134/S0015462819050100