THE EFFECT OF WALL COMPLIANCE ON INFLECTION POINT INSTABILITY IN BOUNDARY-LAYERS

A study into the effects of wall compliance on boundary layer how in a n adverse pressure gradient has been undertaken. The two-dimensional f low given by a Falkner-Skan profile was considered where a powerful in viscid instability mechanism occurs as a result of a point of inflexio n in the boundary layer profile. Results are presented for two cases: (a) a purely inviscid calculation where the compliant walt is modelled as a thin plate supported by a spring foundation, (b) a double-layer viscoelastic wall model with viscous effects retained. Wall parameters which ensure the absence of hydroelastic instability were used and fo und to produce growth rate reductions in excess of 50% of the correspo nding rigid wall values. (C) 1997 American institute of Physics.