RESUMO
We show that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability excited by a localized perturbation yields a self-similar wave. The instability of the mixing layer was first conceived by Helmholtz as the inevitable growth of any localized irregularity into a spiral, but the search and uncovering of the resulting self-similar evolution was hindered by the technical success of Kelvin's wavelike perturbation theory. The identification of a self-similar solution is useful since its specific structure is witness of a subtle nonlinear equilibrium among the forces involved. By simulating numerically the Navier-Stokes equations, we analyze the properties of the wave: growth rate, propagation speed and the dependency of its shape upon the density ratio of the two phases of the mixing layer.
RESUMO
The phase relationship between the streamwise and the wall-normal velocity disturbances induced by a traveling-wave-like blowing or suction control [T. Min, J. Fluid Mech. 558, 309 (2006)] in a two-dimensional laminar Poiseuille flow is investigated. The investigation is done by solving the linearized Navier-Stokes equation and by using the identity equation between the skin-friction drag and the Reynolds shear stress [K. Fukagata, Phys. Fluids 14, L73 (2002)]. It has been known that a traveling wave creates a nonquadrature between the velocity disturbances and generates the positive phase shift of the streamwise velocity disturbance in the case of a skin-friction drag reduction. The present analysis further reveals that this nonquadrature consists of an inviscid base phase relationship and a near-wall phase shift induced by the viscosity. The analogy between the present control and Stokes' second problem is discussed. The thickness of the near-wall region in which the viscous phase shift takes place is found to be scaled similarly to the Stokes' second problem.
