Abstract
The vortical structures in a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) developed over a flat plate have been investigated experimentally. The flow conditions tested in this study were Re$_{\theta}$ = 3700, Re$_{\delta}$ = 11${\times}$105 and the shape factor H = 1.3. Instantaneous velocity fields in the streamwise-wall-normal planes were measured by using a dynamic PIV system. A trip-wire and sandpapers were placed behind the leading edge to promote the turbulent transition. 1000 velocity fields were obtained consecutively with a time interval of 1 millisecond. Streamwise u-velocity components were temporally averaged in the measuring plane. In addition, 2000 velocity fields were obtained randomly and ensemble-averaged to get the fully-developed turbulent characteristics. Profiles of the normalized u-component, turbulent intensities and Reynolds shear stress were evaluated. The structures of spanwise vortices were extracted from the instantaneous velocity fields by determining the swirling strength, ${\lambda}_{ci}$. The wall-normalized locations of vortices were temporally averaged in the measuring plane with respect to their rotational direction. The correlations between the temporally averaged u and the temporally averaged $y^+$ of vortices were evaluated. For the case of positive vortices, the correlation is not significant. However, the negative vortices show a strong negative correlation. The y-location of negative vortices tends to increase, as the averaged u decreases and vice versa. These findings indicate that the number of negative vortices in the outer layer increases during the outward bursting events.