Numerical Studies of a Secondary Instability in an Obstructed Channel Flow

초록

Secondary instability in an obstructed channel is investigated using numerical simulation. Flow geometry under consideration is a plane channel with two-dimensional thin obstacles mounted symmetrically in the vertical direction and periodically in the streamwise direction. The flow undergoes a Hopf bifurcation as the Reynolds number increases. Subsequently, depending on the Reynolds number, the flow becomes unstable to three-dimensional disturbances, which results in a chaotic flow. Numerical results obtained are consistent with experimental findings currently available.