The effect of small-scale roughness on the main flow profile of a laminar boundary layer
The profile distortion due to a single roughness element, to two such elements, and to many elements is investigated. Signal-averaging of the velocity difference due to the roughness being alternately present or absent is employed in order to improve accuracy. The primary objective of examining the distributed-roughness profiles for any evidence of instability-enhancing form is not met, but the results are reconsidered, and relevant hypotheses and suggestions are presented. It is noted that the reason for not meeting the objective of estimating Tollmien-Schlichting amplification from rough-wall profiles is that much of the distortion occurs close to the wall and below the element tops.