Complex-grid spectral algorithms for inviscid linear instability of boundary-layer flows

Abstract

We present a suite of algorithms designed to obtain accurate numerical solutions of the generalised eigenvalue problem governing inviscid linear instability of boundary-layer type of flow in both the incompressible and compressible regimes on planar and axisymmetric curved geometries. The large gradient problems which occur in the governing equations at critical layers are treated by diverting the integration path into the complex plane, making use of complex mappings. The need for expansion of the basic flow profiles in truncated Taylor series is circumvented by solving the boundary-layer equations directly on the same (complex) grid used for the instability calculations. Iterative and direct solution algorithms are employed and the performance of the resulting algorithms using nonlinear radiation or homogeneous Dirichlet far-field boundary conditions is examined. The dependence of the solution on the parameters of the complex mappings is discussed. Results of incompressible and supersonic flow examples are presented; their excellent agreement with established works demonstrates the accuracy and robustness of the new methods presented. Means of improving the efficiency of the proposed spectral algorithms are suggested.