Tim Colonius

On self-sustained oscillations in two-dimensional compressible flow over rectangular cavities

Numerical simulations are used to investigate the resonant instabilities in two-dimensional flow past an open cavity. The compressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved directly (no turbulence model) for cavities with laminar boundary layers upstream. The computational domain is large enough to directly resolve a portion of the radiated acoustic field, which is shown to be in good visual agreement with schlieren photographs from experiments at several different Mach numbers. The results show a transition from a shear-layer mode, primarily for shorter cavities and lower Mach numbers, to a wake mode for longer cavities and higher Mach numbers. The shear-layer mode is characterized well by the acoustic feedback process described by Rossiter (1964), and disturbances in the shear layer compare well with predictions based on linear stability analysis of the Kelvin–Helmholtz mode. The wake mode is characterized instead by a large-scale vortex shedding with Strouhal number independent of Mach number. The wake mode oscillation is similar in many ways to that reported by Gharib & Roshko (1987) for incompressible flow with a laminar upstream boundary layer. Transition to wake mode occurs as the length and/or depth of the cavity becomes large compared to the upstream boundary-layer thickness, or as the Mach and/or Reynolds numbers are raised. Under these conditions, it is shown that the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability grows to sufficient strength that a strong recirculating flow is induced in the cavity. The resulting mean flow is similar to wake profiles that are absolutely unstable, and absolute instability may provide an explanation of the hydrodynamic feedback mechanism that leads to wake mode. Predictive criteria for the onset of shear-layer oscillations (from steady flow) and for the transition to wake mode are developed based on linear theory for amplification rates in the shear layer, and a simple model for the acoustic efficiency of edge scattering.

Sound generation in a mixing layer

The sound generated by vortex pairing in a two-dimensional compressible mixing layer is investigated. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the Navier-Stokes equations are used to compute both the near-field region and a portion of the acoustic field. The acoustic analogy due to Lilley (1974) is also solved with acoustic sources determined from the near-field data of the DNS. It is shown that several commonly made simplifications to the acoustic sources can lead to erroneous predictions for the acoustic field. Predictions based on the quadrupole form of the source terms derived by Goldstein (1976a, 1984) are in excellent agreement with the acoustic field from the DNS. However, despite the low Mach number of the flow, the acoustic far field generated by the vortex pairings cannot be described by considering compact quadrupole sources. The acoustic sources have the form of modulated wave packets and the acoustic far field is described by a superdirective model (Crighton & Huerre 1990). The presence of flow-acoustic interactions in the computed source terms causes the acoustic field predicted by the acoustic analogy to be very sensitive to small changes in the description of the source.

Boundary conditions for direct computation of aerodynamic sound generation

Computation of the sound field of a free shear flow requires that the Navier Stokes equations be solved using accurate numerical differentiation and time-marching schemes, with nonreflecting boundary conditions. These conditions are modified for use with nonlinear Navier Stokes computations of open flow problems. At an outflow, vortical structures are found to produce large reflections due to non linear effects. An exit zone just upstream of an outflow where disturbances are significantly attenuated through grid stretching and filtering is developed for use with the nonreflecting boundary conditions; Reflections from vortical structures are decreased by 3 orders of magnitude

Instability waves in a subsonic round jet detected using a near-field phased microphone array

We propose a diagnostic technique to detect instability waves in a subsonic round jet using a phased microphone array. The detection algorithm is analogous to the beam-forming technique, which is typically used with a far-field microphone array to localize noise sources. By replacing the reference solutions used in the conventional beam-forming with eigenfunctions from linear stability analysis, the amplitudes of instability waves in the axisymmetric and first two azimuthal modes are inferred. Experimental measurements with particle image velocimetry and a database from direct numerical simulation are incorporated to design a conical array that is placed just outside the mixing layer near the nozzle exit. The proposed diagnostic technique is tested in experiments by checking for consistency of the radial decay, streamwise evolution and phase correlation of hydrodynamic pressure. The results demonstrate that in a statistical sense, the pressure field is consistent with instability waves evolving in the turbulent mean flow from the nozzle exit to the end of the potential core, particularly near the most amplified frequency of each azimuthal mode. We apply this technique to study the effects of jet Mach number and temperature ratio on the azimuthal mode balance and evolution of instability waves. We also compare the results from the beam-forming algorithm with the proper orthogonal decomposition and discuss some implications for jet noise.

Implementation of WENO schemes in compressible multicomponent flow problems

High-order accurate shock-capturing schemes are capable of properly resolving discontinuities with correct wave speeds in single-fluid Riemann problems. However, when different fluids are present, oscillations develop at interfaces. A class of existing interface-capturing methods that suppress these oscillations is based on first- and second-order accurate reconstructions with Roe solvers. In this paper, we extend these methods to high-order accurate WENO schemes and the HLLC approximate Riemann solver. In particular, we show that a finite volume formulation where the appropriately averaged primitive variables are reconstructed leads to the oscillation-free advection of an isolated interface. Furthermore, numerical experiments show no spurious oscillations for problems where shockwaves and interfaces interact. We solve the Euler equations supplemented by a stiffened equation of state to model flows of gas and liquid components. Our method is high-order accurate, quasi-conservative, shock-capturing and interface-capturing; these properties are additionally verified by considering one-dimensional multicomponent Riemann problems and a two-dimensional shock-bubble interaction.

Three-dimensional flows around low-aspect-ratio flat-plate wings at low Reynolds numbers

Three-dimensional flows over impulsively translated low-aspect-ratio flat plates are investigated for Reynolds numbers of 300 and 500, with a focus on the unsteady vortex dynamics at post-stall angles of attack. Numerical simulations, validated by an oil tow-tank experiment, are performed to study the influence of aspect ratio, angle of attack and planform geometry on the wake vortices and the resulting forces on the plate. Immediately following the impulsive start, the separated flows create wake vortices that share the same topology for all aspect ratios. At large time, the tip vortices significantly influence the vortex dynamics and the corresponding forces on the wings. Depending on the aspect ratio, angle of attack and Reynolds number, the flow at large time reaches a stable steady state, a periodic cycle or aperiodic shedding. For cases of high angles of attack, an asymmetric wake develops in the spanwise direction at large time. The present results are compared to higher Reynolds number flows. Some non-rectangular planforms are also considered to examine the difference in the wakes and forces. After the impulsive start, the time at which maximum lift occurs is fairly constant for a wide range of flow conditions during the initial transient. Due to the influence of the tip vortices, the three-dimensional dynamics of the wake vortices are found to be quite different from the two-dimensional von Karman vortex street in terms of stability and shedding frequency.

Numerical simulations of non-spherical bubble collapse.

A high-order accurate shock- and interface-capturing scheme is used to simulate the collapse of a gas bubble in water. In order to better understand the damage caused by collapsing bubbles, the dynamics of the shock-induced and Rayleigh collapse of a bubble near a planar rigid surface and in a free field are analysed. Collapse times, bubble displacements, interfacial velocities and surface pressures are quantified as a function of the pressure ratio driving the collapse and of the initial bubble stand-off distance from the wall; these quantities are compared to the available theory and experiments and show good agreement with the data for both the bubble dynamics and the propagation of the shock emitted upon the collapse. Non-spherical collapse involves the formation of a re-entrant jet directed towards the wall or in the direction of propagation of the incoming shock. In shock-induced collapse, very high jet velocities can be achieved, and the finite time for shock propagation through the bubble may be non-negligible compared to the collapse time for the pressure ratios of interest. Several types of shock waves are generated during the collapse, including precursor and water-hammer shocks that arise from the re-entrant jet formation and its impact upon the distal side of the bubble, respectively. The water-hammer shock can generate very high pressures on the wall, far exceeding those from the incident shock. The potential damage to the neighbouring surface is quantified by measuring the wall pressure. The range of stand-off distances and the surface area for which amplification of the incident shock due to bubble collapse occurs is determined.

Three-dimensional instabilities in compressible flow over open cavities

Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the three-dimensional stability of compressible flow over open cavities. A linear stability analysis is conducted to search for three-dimensional global instabilities of the two-dimensional mean flow for cavities that are homogeneous in the spanwise direction. The presence of such instabilities is reported for a range of flow conditions and cavity aspect ratios. For cavities of aspect ratio (length to depth) of 2 and 4, the three-dimensional mode has a spanwise wavelength of approximately one cavity depth and oscillates with a frequency about one order of magnitude lower than two-dimensional Rossiter (flow/acoustics) instabilities. A steady mode of smaller spanwise wavelength is also identified for square cavities. The linear results indicate that the instability is hydrodynamic (rather than acoustic) in nature and arises from a generic centrifugal instability mechanism associated with the mean recirculating vortical flow in the downstream part of the cavity. These three-dimensional instabilities are related to centrifugal instabilities previously reported in flows over backward-facing steps, lid-driven cavity flows and Couette flows. Results from three-dimensional simulations of the nonlinear compressible Navier-Stokes equations are also reported. The formation of oscillating (and, in some cases, steady) spanwise structures is observed inside the cavity. The spanwise wavelength and oscillation frequency of these structures agree with the linear analysis predictions. When present, the shear-layer (Rossiter) oscillations experience a low-frequency modulation that arises from nonlinear interactions with the three-dimensional mode. The results are consistent with observations of low-frequency modulations and spanwise structures in previous experimental and numerical studies on open cavity flows.

Cavitation bubble cluster activity in the breakage of kidney stones by lithotripter shockwaves.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is strong evidence that cavitation bubble activity contributes to stone breakage and that shockwave-bubble interactions are involved in the tissue trauma associated with shockwave lithotripsy. Cavitation control may thus be a way to improve lithotripsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS High-speed photography was used to analyze cavitation bubble activity at the surface of artificial and natural kidney stones during exposure to lithotripter shockwaves in vitro. RESULTS Numerous individual bubbles formed on the surfaces of stones, but these bubbles did not remain independent but rather combined to form clusters. Bubble clusters formed at the proximal and distal ends and at the sides of stones. Each cluster collapsed to a narrow point of impact. Collapse of the proximal cluster eroded the leading face of the stone, and the collapse of clusters at the sides of stones appeared to contribute to the growth of cracks. Collapse of the distal cluster caused minimal damage. CONCLUSION Cavitation-mediated damage to stones is attributable, not to the action of solitary bubbles, but to the growth and collapse of bubble clusters.

Numerical experiments on vortex ring formation

Numerical simulations are used to study the formation of vortex rings that are generated by applying a non-conservative force of long duration, simulating experimental vortex ring generation with large stroke ratio. For sufficiently long-duration forces, we investigate the extent to which properties of the leading vortex ring are invariant to the force distribution. The results confirm the existence of a universal ‘formation number’ defined by Gharib, Rambod & Shariff (1998), beyond which the leading vortex ring is separated from a trailing jet. We find that the formation process is governed by two non-dimensional parameters that are formed with three integrals of the motion (energy, circulation, and impulse) and the translation velocity of the leading vortex ring. Limiting values of the normalized energy and circulation of the leading vortex ring are found to be around 0.3 and 2.0, respectively, in agreement with the predictions of Mohseni & Gharib (1998). It is shown that under this normalization smaller variations in the circulation of the leading vortex ring are obtained than by scaling the circulation with parameters associated with the forcing. We show that by varying the spatial extent of the forcing or the forcing amplitude during the formation process, thicker rings with larger normalized circulation can be generated. Finally, the normalized energy and circulation of the leading vortex rings compare well with the same properties for vortices in the Norbury family with the same mean core radius.