Structure of Density-Stratified Turbulent Flowover a Flat Plate of Suddenly-Changed Spanwise Wall Temperature

Abstract

Both weak and strong unstably stratified turbulent flows are formed downstream over a flat plate heated at different temperatures in the spanwise direction. In such a mixed, unstably density-stratified turbulent flow the velocity and temperature were measured simultaneously to investigate the structures of the flow field and the turbulent heat transfer. Strong upward convection was observed in the strong unstably stratified region. As a result of the upward convection a vortex was formed in the weakly unstable region, causing a flow field of complex structure. The structure of heat transfer was investigated by profiles of mean temperature and turbulent heat flux obtained by measurement.