Abstract
This study examines the wake of a plate subject to asymmetric boundary layers at the trailing edge. In contrast to previous studies, this work varies shear layer asymmetry using tripping wires while keeping the Reynolds number and pressure constant. Six distinct conditions are considered, encompassing the natural wake and asymmetric wakes for five different values of θ/θo where θ is the boundary layer momentum thickness of the disturbed upper plate side, while θo is momentum thickness of the natural boundary on the lower plate side. Both boundary layers are turbulent, and the wake flow statistics were measured at downstream position, x/h. These conditions were studied to gain deeper insight into wake evolution and self-similarity. Significant changes in velocity profiles were observed with increasing momentum thickness ratio. The asymmetric wake showed distinct differences, including a velocity defect (Ud = Ue – Ū) where Ue is edge velocity of the wake and Ū is mean velocity and higher shear stress compared to the symmetric case. The study suggests the presence of long memory in wakes due to self-preserving states established by initial conditions.
Developing analytic methods in conjunction with Reynolds stress profile and Reynolds stress shape functions, we were able to formulate a self-similarity equation for the wake.
