DNS of self-similar adverse pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer*

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a self-similar adverse pressure gradient (APG) turbulent boundary layer (TBL) at the verge of separation has been set-up and carried out. The DNS APG TBL has a displacement thickness based Reynolds number that ranges up to 30,000. The conditions for self-similarity and appropriate scaling will be highlighted, with the first and second order velocity statistical profiles non-dimensionalised using this scaling. The details of the DNS and the required boundary conditions that are necessary to establish this self-similar APG-TBL will be presented. The statistical properties of the self-similar adverse pressure gradient (APG) turbulent boundary layer (TBL) DNS will presented, as will the profiles of the terms in the momentum equation, spanwise/wall-normal kinetic energy spectrum and two-point correlations, which will be compared to those of a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer.