Minisymposium "Global Flow Instability"

Abstract

Linear stability theory is concerned with the evolution of small-amplitude disturbances superimposed upon a steady- or time-periodic so-called basic flow. The vast majority of investigations during the second half of the last century has dealt with the analysis of one-dimensional (“parallel”) basic flows. On the other hand, Global flow instability deals with essentially non-parallel (as well as with weakly non-parallel) flows [1] and is an emerging and highly active area of research, to which a Minisymposium has been dedicated. Four invited contributions from three countries were presented, one summarizing experimental work and the rest presenting alternative numerical methodologies to solve the large eigenvalue problem resulting in the context of BiGlobal instability analysis. Applications addressed ranged from laminar and turbulent separation control (Avi Seifert, Tel-Aviv University), vortex instabilities (Michael Broadhurst, Imperial College London), and cavity flow hydrodynamic (Leo González, School of Naval Engineering, UP Madrid) and aeroacoustic (Javier de Vicente, School of Aeronautics, UP Madrid) instabilities. With the exception of the first author, whose contribution is outlined below, papers were submitted describing in detail the contents of the talks delivered.