A review of skin friction drag reduction within the turbulent boundary layer

Abstract

Skin friction drag reduction in the turbulent boundary layer has high potential benefits which have been a subject of much interest. From general point of view this paper gives an overview of various methods to control the turbulent boundary layer. Primary section of the paper highlights the importance of skin friction drag reduction in turbulent boundary layers, followed by brief discussion of turbulence and Reynolds shear stress production process in the near wall region. Since there are several ways to suppress the instabilities, which naturally occur in the turbulent boundary layer, lots of control techniques have been investigated in next sections. The present article provides an up-to-date summary of passive and active mechanisms responsible for viscous drag reduction. Furthermore, the implications of previous controller and the success or limitations of various methods are discussed.