Pulsating flow past a spanwise rib in a channel at moderate Reynolds numbers

Abstract

The results of visual investigations and direct numerical simulation of flow past a spanwise rib in a channel in a pulsating external flow at the Reynolds numbers corresponding to transition to turbulence in the separation region downstream of the rib in steady-state flow past the latter are represented. It is shown that the calculated and experimental data are in the adequate accordance. The effect of the forced unsteadiness parameters on the vortex flow structure downstream of the rib is analyzed. Some laws of the formation and evolution of the vortex structure downstream of the rib in a pulsating flow are obtained.