Wall Similarity of 2D and 3D Non-Equilibrium Rough Wall Boundary Layers

This proposal puts forward a combined experimental and computational study to investigate and precisely assess the wall similarity hypothesis for a broad class of non-equilibrium rough-wall turbulent boundary layers. This issue is crucial to the application of RANS CFD to a vast array of practically relevant flows and to the prediction of separation, drag, performance, flow-induced vibration and noise. The work will combine state of the art experimental capabilities and experience at Virginia Tech, with leading edge computational expertise at the University of Cambridge. In addition to conclusively resolving key scientific issues and bringing new insight into the physics involved, the work will engage and train researchers at the postdoctoral, PhD, undergraduate and high-school levels, enable cross-cultural and interdisciplinary
international exchanges, and provide unique research experiences for hundreds of undergraduate engineers.