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Direct numerical simulations of an axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer along a slender cylinder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2025

Yikai Xu Open the ORCID record for Yikai Xu [Opens in a new window] ,
Wei-Xi Huang Open the ORCID record for Wei-Xi Huang [Opens in a new window]  and
Chun-Xiao Xu Open the ORCID record for Chun-Xiao Xu [Opens in a new window]
Yikai Xu
Affiliation:
AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
Wei-Xi Huang
Affiliation:
AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
Chun-Xiao Xu*
Affiliation:
AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 10084, PR China
*
Corresponding author: Chun-Xiao Xu, xucx@tsinghua.edu.cn
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Abstract

Axisymmetric turbulent boundary layers are of great significance in industry and the fluid dynamics community. In this paper, direct numerical simulations of an axially developing axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer along a slender cylinder are performed. Periodical suction and blowing perturbation are used to trigger the transition from laminar inflow to turbulent flow downstream, resulting in the boundary layer thickness varying from 7 to 13 times the cylinder radius, and the friction Reynolds number varying from 300 to 510. Turbulence statistics including wall friction coefficient, mean velocity profile and Reynolds stresses are obtained. The turbulence intensities are weakened compared with the planar turbulent layer, and the inter-component energy transfer is also inhibited. A curvature-weighted transformation is proposed, and the transformed Reynolds stresses and mean velocity deficit collapse well with the planar case in the near-wall region. The velocity streaks and vortical structures are explored. The wall-normal variation of the mean spanwise spacing of low-speed streaks is greatly influenced by the cylindrical geometry. Quasi-streamwise vortices dominate the near-wall region, and the arch vortices are prevalent in the outer region. The prograde hairpin vortices can be commonly observed.

JFM classification

Turbulent Flows: Turbulent boundary layers Turbulent Flows: Turbulence simulation

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Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1017 , 25 August 2025 , A11
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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