Direct numerical simulation of turbulent flow over a compliant surface

Abstract

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow over a compliant surface has been performed to evaluate the friction drag reduction effect. It is found that a slight drag reduction is observed over a compliant surface. This observation indicates that drag reduction is possible using a compliant surface that is deformed passively by wall pressure fluctuation. A small wall displacement and velocity are observed in the present study, however, a large-scale pressure field becomes dominant. The typical shape of displacement of the compliant surface is a wave, which is almost homogeneous in the spanwise direction.