Numerical simulations of two-fluid boundary layers beneath free-stream turbulence

In two-fluid boundary layers, a wall-film is sheared by an external stream with different density and viscosity. As a result, the flow becomes prone to both shear and interfacial instabilities. In this study, the evolution of two-fluid boundary layers beneath free-stream vortical forcing is investigated using DNS. The simulations employ a conservative level-set technique in conjunction with a ghost fluid approach in order to capture a sharp interface. The wall film is less viscous than the outer flow, and its thickness is $10\%$ of that of the boundary layer at the inlet. The choice of viscosity ratio influences the spatial development of disturbances within the boundary layer. The spatial growth of instabilities is examined into the non-linear regime, which includes the region of breakdown to turbulence. We demonstrate that, at moderate levels of free-stream turbulence intensities, appropriate choice of the viscosity ratio can yield considerable transition delay.