Oscillatory flow over a semi-infinite flat plate at low Reynolds numbers (Q1114507)

The time oscillatory viscous flow past a semi-infinite flat plate is solved numerically. A Fourier decomposition in time is employed (which avoids any difficulties associated with transient solutions), and an iterative, line relaxation scheme is used to solve the truncated system. Special attention is required at the leading/trailing edge of the plate, on account of the singular behaviour of the shear stress at this point. Results are obtained for Reynolds numbers (based on the Stokes layer thickness) of 0,25 and 50. In the case of zero Reynolds number, comparison with previous analytic work is possible, and the accuracy of the present numerical scheme is seen to be satisfactory. In the case of the other Reynolds numbers, computations were (also) carried out with a number of numerical grids, in order to gauge the effect of the various numerical approximations. Of much interest in problems of this type is the so called ``steady-streaming'' component of the flow, set up through the nonlinearity of the problem; details of this component of the flow are described in some detail.