An experimental study of the influence of riblets on transition

Abstract

An experimental study of the effect of riblets on three-dimensional nonlinear structures, the so-called Λ-vortices on laminar-turbulent transition showed that riblets delay the transformation of the Λ-vortices into turbulent spots and shift the point of transition downstream. This result is opposite to the negative influence of such ribbed surfaces on two-dimensional linear Tollmien-Schlichting waves (the linear stage of transition). Thus, the ribbed surface influences laminar-turbulent transition structures differently: a negative influence on the linear-stage transition structures and a positive influence on the nonlinear-stage transition structures. It is demonstrated that transition control by means of riblets requires special attention to be paid to the choice of their location, taking into account the stage of transition.