Spatial simulations of oblique transition in a boundary layer

Abstract

Simulations of oblique transition in the spatial domain are presented, covering the complete transition process into the turbulent regime. It is conjectured that the three stages identified here and elsewhere are universal for oblique transition in all shear flows: first a nonlinear generation of a streamwise vortex by the oblique waves, second a transient growth of streaks from the vortex by the lift-up effect, and third a breakdown of the streaks due to secondary instability.