This research program used experimental measurements and computational simulations to study the drag reduction, and the resulting effects on turbulence structure, for a turbulent wall flow subjected to lateral wall oscillations. Major objectives for this study were to establish wall oscillation conditions resulting in maximum drag reduction, and how the turbulence structure was altered so that this drag reduction was attained. Furthermore we were interested in the drag reduction performance over a range of Reynolds numbers, and the onset of the drag reduction at the start of the oscillating wall section, and the decay of drag reduction downstream of the oscillating wall. Our experiments showed the maximum drag reduction for an oscillating wall is 30%. Furthermore, the drag reduction reaches an asymptotic level with increasing wall oscillation velocity, with the maximum level occurring by approximately W sub wp=15. Drag reduction performance was tested for Reynolds numbers of Re theta =500, 950, 1400 and 2400, and the performance was found to be independent of Reynolds number for this range. Experimental and computational studies of the turbulence structure showed the oscillating wall has dramatic effect in practically eliminating the streak structures. Furthermore, the burst and sweep structures were suppressed.

Controlling turbulence is an important issue for a number of technological applications. Several methods to modulate turbulence are currently being investigated. This book describes various aspects of turbulence structure and modulation, and explains and discusses the most promising techniques in detail.

Drag reduction is a field of study in many engineering disciplines, and its aim is to reduce the fluid-mechanical forces exerted in an object in order to improve its mechanical and/or fuel efficiency. This book provides a guide to the current state-of-the-art in this area of engineering.