Laser-Doppler measurements of velocity distribution and reattachment length are reported downstream of a single backward-facing step mounted in a two-dimensional channel. Results are presented for laminar, transitional and turbulent flow of air in a Reynolds-number range of 70 < Re < 8000. The experimental results show that the various flow regimes are characterized by typical variations of the separation length with Reynolds number. The reported laser-Doppler measurements do not only yield the expected primary zone of recirculating flow attached to the backward-facing step but also show additional regions of flow separation downstream of the step and on both sides of the channel test section. These additional separation regions have not been previously reported in the literature.Although the high aspect ratio of the test section (1:36) ensured that the oncoming flow was fully developed and two-dimensional, the experiments showed that the flow downstream of the step only remained two-dimensional at low and high Reynolds numbers.The present study also included numerical predictions of backward-facing step flow. The two-dimensional steady differential equations for conservation of mass and momentum were solved. Results are reported and are compared with experiments for those Reynolds numbers for which the flow maintained its two-dimensionality in the experiments. Under these circumstances, good agreement between experimental and numerical results is obtained.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022112083002839

Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Backward-Facing Step Flow

Introduction T reattachment of a turbulent shear layer is an important process in a large number of practical engineering configurations, including diffusers, airfoils with separation bubbles, buildings, and combustors. In order to predict these complicated flows, we must understand and be able to predict the behavior of reattaching shear layers. However, our current understanding of the reattachment process is poor, a fact demonstrated by our inability to predict simple reattaching flows over a wide range of parameters. In fact, a complete list of the parameters that affect reattachment has yet to be formulated. Among two-dimensional flows, the backward-facing step is the simplest reattaching flow. The separation line is straight and fixed at the edge of the step, and there is only one separated zone instead of two, as seen in the flow over a fence or obstacle. In addition, the streamlines are nearly parallel to the wall at the separation point, so significant upstream influence occurs only downstream of separation. Although they are not always stated explicitly, these are the reasons why most of the research on reattachment has been done in backward-facing step flows. The backward-facing step is also used as a building block flow for workers developing turbulence models. Therefore, it is important to supply data which can be used to test codes and information that may aid the development of future codes. Bradshaw and Wong reviewed the experimental data for reattaching flows in 1972. Since that time there has been a proliferation of new research in the area, particularly since the advent of the laser anemometer and the pulsed-wire anemometer. This research has been conducted by a number of independent groups, and therefore the net result is somewhat disorganized. Very little systematic study has been done on the effect of the governing parameters on reattachment. In addition, most of the experiments, when viewed separately, have failed to cast any new light on the underlying physics of the reattachment process. The purpose of this paper is twofold. The primary purpose is to review the available data for turbulent flows over backward-facing steps, including some new data of our own and other previously unpublished data. Second, we suggest several areas of research that we feel could lead to improvements in our ability to predict flows with separation bubbles. Several physical mechanisms will be proposed to explain some of the phenomena that have been observed. It is our hope that these suggestions will provoke further thought, comment, and research. The review covers subsonic flows over backward-facing steps in which the Reynolds number is high enough to insure that the separated shear layer is fully turbulent. Important work on laminar and transitional reattaching shear layers has been performed by Goldstein et al. and Armaly et al. but will not be referred to here. Primary emphasis is on planar flows, but some data from axisymmetric flows will be utilized. Double-sided, sudden expansion flows in which the flow is asymmetric are not considered here, because these flows are even more complicated than flows with a single separation bubble. A companion paper examines the uncertainty of the available data in more detail. It also assesses the usefulness of the various data sets as test cases for computational procedures.

A Review of Research on Subsonic Turbulent Flow Reattachment

The origin of steady asymmetric flows in a symmetric sudden expansion is studied using experimental and numerical techniques. We show that the asymmetry arises at a symmetry-breaking bifurcation and good agreement between the experiments and numerical calculations is obtained. At higher Reynolds numbers the flow becomes time-dependent and there is experimental evidence that this is associated with three-dimensional effects.

Nonlinear flow phenomena in a symmetric sudden expansion

Flow visualization and laser-Doppler anemometry have been used to provide a detailed description of the velocity characteristics of the asymmetric flows which form in symmetric, two-dimensional, plane, sudden-expansion geometries. The flow and geometry boundary conditions which give rise to asymmetric flow are indicated, and the reason for the phenomenon is shown to lie in disturbances generated at the edge of the expansion and amplified in the shear layers. The spectral distributions of the fluctuations in velocity are quantitatively related to the dimensions of the two unequal regions of flow recirculation. It is also shown that the intensity of fluctuating energy in these low Reynolds number flows can be larger than that in corresponding turbulent flows.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022112078000026

Asymmetric flows and instabilities in symmetric ducts with sudden expansions

Flow visualization and laser-anemometry measurements are reported in the flow downstream of a plane 3: 1 symmetric expansion in a duct with an aspect ratio of 9·2: 1 downstream of the expansion. The flow was found to be markedly dependent on Reynolds number, and strongly three-dimensional even well away from the channel corners except at the lowest measurable velocities. The measurements at a Reynolds number of 56 indicated that the separation regions behind each step were of equal length. Symmetric velocity profiles existed from the expansion to a fully developed, parabolic profile far downstream, although there were substantial three-dimensional effects in the vicinity of the separation regions. The velocity profiles were in good agreement with those obtained by solving the two-dimensional momentum equation. At a Reynolds number of 114, the two separation regions were of different lengths, leading to asymmetric velocity profiles; three dimensional effects were much more pronounced. At a Reynolds number of 252, a third separation zone was found on one wall, downstream of the smaller of the two separation zones adjacent to the steps. As at the lower Reynolds numbers, the flow was very stable. At higher Reynolds numbers the flow became less stable and periodicity became increasingly important in the main stream; this was accompanied by a highly disturbed fluid motion in the separation zones, as the flow tended towards turbulence.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022112074002035

D. E. Abbott

Papers

Experimental Investigation of Subsonic Turbulent Flow Over Single and Double Backward Facing Steps