Experimental characterization of smooth body flow separation topography and topology on a two-dimensional geometry of finite span

A smooth body, adverse pressure gradient (APG), turbulent boundary layer (TBL) separation is experimentally studied. The geometry features canonical TBL development prior to encountering a smooth, two-dimensional convex ramp of finite span onto which streamwise APG that fully adjustable imposed. Both large- and small-scale separations are studied, all data archived on the NASA Turbulence Modeling Resource website. This paper describes large-scale case with focus surface topography topology both reattachment. Despite spanwise uniform approach geometry, highly three-dimensional but reattachment uniform. flow characterized by ‘owl-face pattern fourth kind’ – found be repeatable over multiple experiments. ubiquitous has been reported for variety flows including inclined bodies revolution. It demonstrated secondary associated sidewall–ramp juncture responsible formation patterns.