Boundary-layer instability experiment with localized disturbance

Abstract

Laminar boundary layer on a flat plate with zero pressure gradient was excited by a solitary three-dimensional disturbance. The growth of the disturbance was studied using a 10-channel linearized d.c.-coupled hot-wire system. The development of the disturbance flow field was studied and compared with theory by Criminale & Kovasznay (1962). The experimental results indicate a departure from the theory on account of the simplifying assumptions made in the theory. Certain new results were also obtained.