Effect of trailing edge suction on coherent structures in near wake

Abstract

Experimental results, obtained from her-wire measurements using a conditional sampling technique, demonstrate feasibility of controlling large-scale spanwise vortices (coherent structures) in the near wake region behind a rectangular base by means of suction through a slit at just one of the trailing edges. The suction thus employed, is found to influence the near wake topology with strong asymmetry and disturb the net vorticity balance. Moreover, a significant reduction in the base drag is achieved as a consequence of the trailing edge suction. The mechanism of the drag reduction is understood to lie in a marked change in the wake dynamics including attenuation in the size and strength of the coherent structures.