Instability of flow separation at 2D surface imperfections in a low-speed air stream (review)

As a result of long-standing studies of subsonic flows past 2D surface imperfections, physical models to describe the influence of such elements on the boundary-layer transition to turbulence were formulated. The models are primarily based on stability properties of the flow around local geometrical variations of the wall. The present review discusses the mechanisms of boundary layer destabilization by the imperfections revealed by the classical analysis of low-amplitude shear layer oscillations and using recently developed approaches to the local/global modal/non-modal flow stability. While preparing this review, we preferred to trace and briefly outline the main routes of flow turbulization instead of discussing relevant details reported in original publications.