Riblet-generated flow mechanisms that lead to local breaking of Reynolds analogy

Abstract

We investigate the Reynolds analogy over riblets, namely the analogy between the fractional increase in Stanton number Ch and the fractional increase in the skin-friction coefficient Cf, relative to a smooth surface. We investigate the direct numerical simulation data of Endrikat et al. (Flow Turbul. Combust., vol. 107, 2021, pp. 1–29). The riblet groove shapes are isosceles triangles with tip angles α = 30◦, 60◦, 90◦, a trapezoid, a rectangle and a right triangle. The viscous-scaled riblet spacing varies between s+ ≈ 10 to 60. The global Reynolds analogy is primarily influenced by Kelvin–Helmholtz rollers and secondary flows. Kelvin–Helmholtz rollers locally break the Reynolds analogy favou..