Modeling Transition Physics for Laminar Flow Control

*Laminar flow control requires transition-prediction methods that can account for the varied surface-quality and free-stream environmental conditions encountered during implementation or development. A variable N-factor transition-prediction scheme is presented, which accounts for many of the physical mechanisms important for the practical applications of laminar flow. The approach is based on correlations with linear instability amplification factors (n-factors), but also draws on receptivity theory and growth modifiers. For external factors that are not accommodated within the variable N-factor framework, other empirical-correlation models are considered.