On the Effects of a Flexible Structure on Boundary Layer Stability and Transition

Delaying the onset of boundary layer transition has become a major research area in the last few years. This delay can be achieved by either active or passive control techniques. In the present paper, the effects of flexible or compliant structures on boundary layer stability and transition is studied. The Orr-Sommerfeld equation coupled to a beam equation representing the flexible structure is solved for a Blasius type boundary layer. A parametric study consisting of the beam thickness and material properties is carried out. In addition, the effect of fluid wall shear stress on boundary layer stability is analyzed. It is found that high density and high Young modulus materials behave like rigid structures and therefore do not alter the stability characteristic of the boundary layer. Whereas low density and low Young modulus materials are found to stabilize the boundary layer. High values of fluid wall shear stress are found to destabilize the boundary layer. Our results are in good agreement with those published in the literature.