International Journal of Rotating Machinery 
Volume 9 (2003), Issue 1, Pages 11-22
doi:10.1155/S1023621X03000022

Advances in Unsteady Boundary Layer Transition Research, Part II: Experimental Verification

M. T. Schobeiri1,2 and L. Wright1

 1Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
2Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-3123, TX, USA

Abstract

This two-part article presents recent advances in boundary layer research into the unsteady boundary layer transition modeling and its validation. This, Part II, deals with the results of an inductive approach based on comprehensive experimental and theoretical studies of unsteady wake flow and unsteady boundary layer flow. The experiments were performed on a curved plate at a zero streamwise pressure gradient under periodic unsteady wake flow, in which the frequency of the periodic unsteady flow was varied. To validate the model, systematic experimental investigations were performed on the suction and pressure surfaces of turbine blades integrated into a high-subsonic cascade test facility, which was designed for unsteady boundary layer investigations. The analysis of the experiment's results and comparison with the model's prediction confirm the validity of the model and its ability to predict accurately the unsteady boundary layer transition.