Laminar Turbulent Transition Fundamentals

The basic instability mechanisms are discussed from an elementary standpoint considering only boundary layers in external flows. The objective of this report is to provide the basic ideas and results of boundary-layer stability in order that the one can understand transition mechanisms, transition control, and transition prediction for aircraft systems. The current state-of-the-art of boundary-layer stability is reviewed and by using recent results, it is shown that a number of unique transition mechanisms exist and each can play a different role in the breakdown to turbulence. The control of the stability and transition characteristics of a particular flow field requires thoroughly understanding the details of these breakdown mechanisms.