Actuation response model from sparse data for wall turbulence drag reduction

Abstract: We compute, model, and predict drag reduction of an actuated turbulent boundary layer at a momentum thickness based Reynolds number of Re{\theta} = 1000. The actuation is performed using spanwise traveling transversal surface waves parameterized by wavelength, amplitude, and period. The drag reduction for the set of actuation parameters is modeled using 71 large-eddy simulations (LES). This drag model allows to extrapolate outside the actuation domain for larger wavelengths and amplitudes. The modeling novelty is based on combining support vector regression for interpolation, a parameterized ridgeline leading out of the data domain, scaling from Tomiyama and Fukagata (2013), and a discovered self-similar structure of the actuation effect. The model yields high prediction accuracy outside the training data range.