Experimental Investigation of Isolated Roughness Induced Transition in a Swept Wing Boundary Layer

Abstract

The application of an isolated roughness element in the laminar boundary layer developing on the surface of a wing, introduces flow instabilities that eventually lead to the breakdown of the laminar flow structures and the formation of a turbulent wedge. The present work, investigates the instabilities and transition process initiated by an isolated roughness element applied in a swept wing boundary layer. Specifically, the perturbations induced by a cylindrical element are analysed, providing relevant insights regarding the nature of the instabilities developing in the flow field. The global flow features are measured through infrared thermography, while local information on the stationary and unsteady disturbances are provided by hot-wire anemometry. The collected results, prove that the main instabilities responsible for the wedge origin and evolution are related to the shedding process initiated in the wake of the roughness element. Additionally, the dominant flow features identified in the present work, show significant similarities with those pertaining to 2D boundary layer transition initiated by isolated roughness elements.