Topological model of flow regimes in the plane of symmetry of a surface-mounted obstacle

Flow visualization between Reynolds numbers of 2000 and 6500 in the end-wall region of an obstacle mounted on a flat plate revealed presence of a multiple vortex system. Three Reynolds-number dependent regimes were identified. With increasing Reynolds number the vortex system transitioned from a static system to a to-and-fro oscillating system and finally to a shedding-splitting system. These observations have been used to infer flow topologies in the plane of symmetry of the juncture from start-up through all three regimes. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.