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EPSRC Reference: GR/M97862/01
Title: STABILITY & TRANSITION OF THE BOUNDARY LAYER ON A ROTATING SPHERE
Principal Investigator: Peake, Professor N
Other Investigators:
Lingwood, Dr R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 24 May 2000 Ends: 23 May 2003 Value (£): 5,231
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Aerodynamics
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Continuing developments of spinning projectiles, aerofoils and aeroengines has led to the need to predict the onset of laminar-turbulent transition of three-dimensional boundary-layer flows. We will use techniques from spatio-temporal stability theory to model the hydrodynamic instabilities of the boundary layer over rotating spheres. These instabilities lead to transition, which is generally undesirable and can lead to significant increases in drag. Understanding the stability of such boundary-layer flows and the development of strategies to maintain laminar flow will lead to modifications in design. We suggest that the spinning-sphere boundary layer can exhibit absolute instability that triggers the onset of nonlinearity and transition at a well-defined and predictable location. This has not previously been investigated for flows over rotating spheres. In fact, the concept of absolute instability, particularly of boundary-layer flows, has only recently been introduced into mainstream fluid-dynamics research. We will consider the effects of superimposing an axial flow on the rotationally-induced flow field. The aim is to use stability analysis and experiments to illuminate the basic physics and to predict absolute instability and transition across a range of conditions, and thereby provide information that can be used to avoid undesirable flow conditions.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk