Control of stationary cross-flow instabilities using periodic arrays of spanwise-invariant roughness strips

This study examines the control capabilities of an array of spanwise-invariant roughness strips applied on a swept-wing boundary layer (BL) dominated by a cross-flow instability (CFI) that is forced by periodically spaced discrete roughness elements to a monochromatic wavelength. Several configurations of strip arrays are investigated, varying their height, width and chordwise periodicity. Infrared thermography is employed to track the impact on the BL transition location. Optimal configurations are identified, extending laminar flow by up to 10 % of the wing chord. Additionally, BL forced by patches of randomised surface roughness are considered, better representing realistic wing surfaces. In this scenario, the application of strip arrays with optimal geometry extends the laminar portion of the BL by almost 10 % chord and beyond when combined with a discrete roughness element array. Time-averaged particle image velocimetry (PIV) velocity fields are acquired to monitor the CFI amplitude for the various configurations. The BL spectral content in the spanwise direction is used to characterise the chordwise behaviour of individual disturbance modes, whose amplitude is found to be reduced by up to 17 % for the optimal strip configuration.