scholarly journals WKB theory for rapid distortion of inhomogeneous turbulence

1999 ◽  
Vol 390 ◽  
pp. 325-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. NAZARENKO ◽  
N. K.-R. KEVLAHAN ◽  
B. DUBRULLE
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Turbulent Spot ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Inhomogeneous Turbulence ◽  
Large Scale Vortex ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Strain

A WKB method is used to extend RDT (rapid distortion theory) to initially inhomogeneous turbulence and unsteady mean flows. The WKB equations describe turbulence wavepackets which are transported by the mean velocity and have wavenumbers which evolve due to the mean strain. The turbulence also modifies the mean flow and generates large-scale vorticity via the averaged Reynolds stress tensor. The theory is applied to Taylor's four-roller flow in order to explain the experimentally observed reduction in the mean strain. The strain reduction occurs due to the formation of a large-scale vortex quadrupole structure from the turbulent spot confined by the four rollers. Both turbulence inhomogeneity and three-dimensionality are shown to be important for this effect. If the initially isotropic turbulence is either homogeneous in space or two-dimensional, it has no effect on the large-scale strain. Furthermore, the turbulent kinetic energy is conserved in the two-dimensional case, which has important consequences for the theory of two-dimensional turbulence. The analytical and numerical results presented here are in good qualitative agreement with experiment.

The structure of a highly decelerated axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer

2021 ◽  
Vol 929 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Agastya Balantrapu ◽  
Christopher Hickling ◽  
W. Nathan Alexander ◽  
William Devenport
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Layer Thickness ◽  
Boundary Layer Thickness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Convection Velocity ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
The Mean

Experiments were performed over a body of revolution at a length-based Reynolds number of 1.9 million. While the lateral curvature parameters are moderate ( $\delta /r_s < 2, r_s^+>500$ , where $\delta$ is the boundary layer thickness and r s is the radius of curvature), the pressure gradient is increasingly adverse ( $\beta _{C} \in [5 \text {--} 18]$ where $\beta_{C}$ is Clauser’s pressure gradient parameter), representative of vehicle-relevant conditions. The mean flow in the outer regions of this fully attached boundary layer displays some properties of a free-shear layer, with the mean-velocity and turbulence intensity profiles attaining self-similarity with the ‘embedded shear layer’ scaling (Schatzman & Thomas, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 815, 2017, pp. 592–642). Spectral analysis of the streamwise turbulence revealed that, as the mean flow decelerates, the large-scale motions energize across the boundary layer, growing proportionally with the boundary layer thickness. When scaled with the shear layer parameters, the distribution of the energy in the low-frequency region is approximately self-similar, emphasizing the role of the embedded shear layer in the large-scale motions. The correlation structure of the boundary layer is discussed at length to supply information towards the development of turbulence and aeroacoustic models. One major finding is that the estimation of integral turbulence length scales from single-point measurements, via Taylor's hypothesis, requires significant corrections to the convection velocity in the inner 50 % of the boundary layer. The apparent convection velocity (estimated from the ratio of integral length scale to the time scale), is approximately 40 % greater than the local mean velocity, suggesting the turbulence is convected much faster than previously thought. Closer to the wall even higher corrections are required.

A vortex-street model of the flow in the similarity region of a two-dimensional free turbulent jet

1982 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. 523-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Oler ◽  
V. W. Goldschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Turbulent Jet ◽  
Vortex Street ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Similarity Relationships

The mean-velocity profiles and entrainment rates in the similarity region of a two-dimensional jet are generated by a simple superposition of Rankine vortices arranged to represent a vortex street. The spacings between the vortex centres, their two-dimensional offsets from the centreline, as well as the core radii and circulation strengths, are all governed by similarity relationships and based upon experimental data.Major details of the mean flow field such as the axial and lateral mean-velocity components and the magnitude of the Reynolds stress are properly determined by the model. The sign of the Reynolds stress is, however, not properly predicted.

scholarly journals A generalised-Lagrangian-mean model of the interactions between near-inertial waves and mean flow

2015 ◽  
Vol 774 ◽  
pp. 143-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-H. Xie ◽  
J. Vanneste
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Inertial Waves ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Time Scale Separation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Balanced Flow ◽  
Mesoscale Motion

Wind forcing of the ocean generates a spectrum of inertia–gravity waves that is sharply peaked near the local inertial (or Coriolis) frequency. The corresponding near-inertial waves (NIWs) are highly energetic and play a significant role in the slow, large-scale dynamics of the ocean. To analyse this role, we develop a new model of the non-dissipative interactions between NIWs and balanced motion. The model is derived using the generalised-Lagrangian-mean (GLM) framework (specifically, the ‘glm’ variant of Soward & Roberts, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 661, 2010, pp. 45–72), taking advantage of the time-scale separation between the two types of motion to average over the short NIW period. We combine Salmon’s (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 719, 2013, pp. 165–182) variational formulation of GLM with Whitham averaging to obtain a system of equations governing the joint evolution of NIWs and mean flow. Assuming that the mean flow is geostrophically balanced reduces this system to a simple model coupling Young & Ben Jelloul’s (J. Mar. Res., vol. 55, 1997, pp. 735–766) equation for NIWs with a modified quasi-geostrophic (QG) equation. In this coupled model, the mean flow affects the NIWs through advection and refraction; conversely, the NIWs affect the mean flow by modifying the potential-vorticity (PV) inversion – the relation between advected PV and advecting mean velocity – through a quadratic wave term, consistent with the GLM results of Bühler & McIntyre (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 354, 1998, pp. 301–343). The coupled model is Hamiltonian and its conservation laws, for wave action and energy in particular, prove illuminating: on their basis, we identify a new interaction mechanism whereby NIWs forced at large scales extract energy from the balanced flow as their horizontal scale is reduced by differential advection and refraction so that their potential energy increases. A rough estimate suggests that this mechanism could provide a significant sink of energy for mesoscale motion and play a part in the global energetics of the ocean. Idealised two-dimensional models are derived and simulated numerically to gain insight into NIW–mean-flow interaction processes. A simulation of a one-dimensional barotropic jet demonstrates how NIWs forced by wind slow down the jet as they propagate into the ocean interior. A simulation assuming plane travelling NIWs in the vertical shows how a vortex dipole is deflected by NIWs, illustrating the irreversible nature of the interactions. In both simulations energy is transferred from the mean flow to the NIWs.

scholarly journals Transport and instability in driven two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flows

2016 ◽  
Vol 799 ◽  
pp. 541-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Durston ◽  
Andrew D. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Body Force ◽  
Passive Scalar ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Background Shear

This paper concerns the generation of large-scale flows in forced two-dimensional systems. A Kolmogorov flow with a sinusoidal profile in one direction (driven by a body force) is known to become unstable to a large-scale flow in the perpendicular direction at a critical Reynolds number. This can occur in the presence of a ${\it\beta}$-effect and has important implications for flows observed in geophysical and astrophysical systems. It has recently been termed ‘zonostrophic instability’ and studied in a variety of settings, both numerically and analytically. The goal of the present paper is to determine the effect of magnetic field on such instabilities using the quasi-linear approximation, in which the full fluid system is decoupled into a mean flow and waves of one scale. The waves are driven externally by a given random body force and move on a fast time scale, while their stress on the mean flow causes this to evolve on a slow time scale. Spatial scale separation between waves and mean flow is also assumed, to allow analytical progress. The paper first discusses purely hydrodynamic transport of vorticity including zonostrophic instability, the effect of uniform background shear and calculation of equilibrium profiles in which the effective viscosity varies spatially, through the mean flow. After brief consideration of passive scalar transport or equivalently kinematic magnetic field evolution, the paper then proceeds to study the full magnetohydrodynamic system and to determine effective diffusivities and other transport coefficients using a mixture of analytical and numerical methods. This leads to results on the effect of magnetic field, background shear and ${\it\beta}$-effect on zonostrophic instability and magnetically driven instabilities.

Turbulent flow between a rotating and a stationary disk

2001 ◽  
Vol 426 ◽  
pp. 297-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAGNE LYGREN ◽  
HELGE I. ANDERSSON
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Coherent Structures ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Stationary Disk ◽  
Dimensional Boundary ◽  
The Mean

Turbulent flow between a rotating and a stationary disk is studied. Besides its fundamental importance as a three-dimensional prototype flow, such flow fields are frequently encountered in rotor–stator configurations in turbomachinery applications. A direct numerical simulation is therefore performed by integrating the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations until a statistically steady state is reached and with the aim of providing both long-time statistics and an exposition of coherent structures obtained by conditional sampling. The simulated flow has local Reynolds number r2ω/v = 4 × 105 and local gap ratio s/r = 0.02, where ω is the angular velocity of the rotating disk, r the radial distance from the axis of rotation, v the kinematic viscosity of the fluid, and s the gap width.The three components of the mean velocity vector and the six independent Reynolds stresses are compared with experimental measurements in a rotor–stator flow configuration. In the numerically generated flow field, the structural parameter a1 (i.e. the ratio of the magnitude of the shear stress vector to twice the mean turbulent kinetic energy) is lower near the two disks than in two-dimensional boundary layers. This characteristic feature is typical for three-dimensional boundary layers, and so are the misalignment between the shear stress vector and the mean velocity gradient vector, although the degree of misalignment turns out to be smaller in the present flow than in unsteady three-dimensional boundary layer flow. It is also observed that the wall friction at the rotating disk is substantially higher than at the stationary disk.Coherent structures near the disks are identified by means of the λ2 vortex criterion in order to provide sufficient information to resolve a controversy regarding the roles played by sweeps and ejections in shear stress production. An ensemble average of the detected structures reveals that the coherent structures in the rotor–stator flow are similar to the ones found in two-dimensional flows. It is shown, however, that the three-dimensionality of the mean flow reduces the inter-vortical alignment and the tendency of structures of opposite sense of rotation to overlap. The coherent structures near the disks generate weaker sweeps (i.e. quadrant 4 events) than structures in conventional two-dimensional boundary layers. This reduction in the quadrant 4 contribution from the coherent structures is believed to explain the reduced efficiency of the mean flow in producing Reynolds shear stress.

Organized structures in a reattaching separated flow field

1984 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 413-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Troutt ◽  
B. Scheelke ◽  
T. R. Norman
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Dynamics ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Turbulence Energy ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Large Scale Vortex ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Important Time

Spanwise structures in a two-dimensional reattaching separated flow were studied using multisensor hot-wire anemometry techniques. The results of these measurements strongly support the existence and importance of large-scale vortices in both the separated and reattached regions of this flow. Upstream of reattachment, vortex pairings are indicated and the spanwise structures attain correlation scales closely comparable to previously measured mixing-layer vortices. These large-scale vortices retain their organization far downstream of the reattachment region. However, pairing interactions appear to be strongly inhibited in this region. It is suggested that large-scale vortex dynamics are primarily responsible for some of the important time-averaged features of this flow. Notably, the reduction of turbulence energy in the reattachment region and the slow transition of the mean flow downstream of reattachment are attributed to effects associated with these vortices.

On the periodically excited plane turbulent mixing layer, emanating from a jagged partition

2007 ◽  
Vol 589 ◽  
pp. 479-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. KIT ◽  
I. WYGNANSKI ◽  
D. FRIEDMAN ◽  
O. KRIVONOSOVA ◽  
D. ZHILENKO
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Streamwise Vortices ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Turbulent Mixing Layer ◽  
Arithmetic Average ◽  
The Mean

The flow in a turbulent mixing layer resulting from two parallel different velocity streams, that were brought together downstream of a jagged partition was investigated experimentally. The trailing edge of the partition had a short triangular ‘chevron’ shape that could also oscillate up and down at a prescribed frequency, because it was hinged to the stationary part of the partition to form a flap (fliperon). The results obtained from this excitation were compared to the traditional results obtained by oscillating a two-dimensional fliperon. Detailed measurements of the mean flow and the coherent structures, in the periodically excited and spatially developing mixing layer, and its random constituents were carried out using hot-wire anemometry and stereo particle image velocimetry.The prescribed spanwise wavelength of the chevron trailing edge generated coherent streamwise vortices while the periodic oscillation of this fliperon locked in-phase the large spanwise Kelvin–Helmholtz (K-H) rolls, therefore enabling the study of the inter- action between the two. The two-dimensional periodic excitation increases the strength of the spanwise rolls by increasing their size and their circulation, which depends on the input amplitude and frequency. The streamwise vortices generated by the jagged trailing edge distort and bend the primary K-H rolls. The present investigation endeavours to study the distortions of each mode as a consequence of their mutual interaction. Even the mean flow provides evidence for the local bulging of the large spanwise rolls because the integral width (the momentum thickness, θ), undulates along the span. The lateral location of the centre of the ensuing mixing layer (the location where the mean velocity is the arithmetic average of the two streams,y0), also suggests that these vortices are bent. Phase-locked and ensemble-averaged measurements provide more detailed information about the bending and bulging of the large eddies that ensue downstream of the oscillating chevron fliperon. The experiments were carried out at low speeds, but at sufficiently high Reynolds number to ensure naturally turbulent flow.

On Coupling of RANS and LES for Integrated Computations of Jet Engines

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gorazd Medic ◽  
Donghyun You ◽  
Georgi Kalitzin
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Jet Engines ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flow Variables

Large scale integrated computations of jet engines can be performed by using the unsteady RANS framework to compute the flow in turbomachinery components while using the LES framework to compute the flow in the combustor. This requires a proper coupling of the flow variables at the interfaces between the RANS and LES solvers. In this paper, a novel approach to turbulence coupling is proposed. It is based on the observation that in full operating conditions the mean flow at the interfaces is highly non-uniform and local turbulence production dominates convection effects in regions of large velocity gradients. This observation has lead to the concept of using auxilliary ducts to compute turbulence based on the mean velocity at the interface. In the case of the RANS/LES interface, turbulent fluctuations are reconstructed from an LES computation in an auxiliary three-dimensional duct using a recycling technique. For the LES/RANS interface, the turbulence variables for the RANS model are computed from an auxilliary solution of the RANS turbulence model in a quasi-2D duct. We have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach for the integrated flow simulation of a 20° sector of an entire jet engine.

Turbulent boundary layer relaxation from convex curvature

1990 ◽  
Vol 211 ◽  
pp. 529-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Alving ◽  
Alexander J. Smits ◽  
Jonathan H. Watmuff
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Relaxation Behaviour ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Measuring Station ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Convex Curvature

A study was undertaken to examine the flat plate relaxation behaviour of a turbulent boundary layer recovering from 90° of strong convex curvature (δ0/R = 0.08), for a length of ≈ 90δ0 after the end of curvature, where δ0 is the boundary layer thickness at the start of the curvature. The results show that the relaxation behaviour of the mean flow and the turbulence are quite different. The mean velocity profile and skin friction coefficient asymptotically approach the unperturbed state and at the last measuring station appear to be fully recovered. The turbulence relaxation, however, occurs in several stages over a much longer distance. In the first stage, a stress ‘bore’ (a region of elevated stress) is generated near the wall, and the bore thickens with distance downstream. Eventually it fills the whole boundary layer, but the stress levels continue to rise beyond their self-preserving values. Finally the stresses begin a gradual decline, but at the last measuring station they are still well above the unperturbed levels, and the ratios of the Reynolds stresses are distorted. These results imply a reorganization of the large-scale structure into a new quasi-stable state. The long-lasting effects of curvature highlight the sensitivity of a boundary layer to its condition of formation.

The formation of shear and density layers in stably stratified turbulent flows: linear processes

2002 ◽  
Vol 455 ◽  
pp. 243-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. GALMICHE ◽  
J. C. R. HUNT
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Shear Stresses ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Linear Processes ◽  
Buoyancy Forces ◽  
Uniform Background ◽  
The Mean

The initial evolution of the momentum and buoyancy fluxes in a freely decaying, stably stratified homogeneous turbulent flow with r.m.s. velocity u′0 and integral lengthscale l0 is calculated using a weakly inhomogeneous and unsteady form of the rapid distortion theory (RDT) in order to study the growth of small temporal and spatial perturbations in the large-scale mean stratification N(z, t) and mean velocity profile ū(z, t) (here N is the local Brunt–Väisälä frequency and ū is the local velocity of the horizontal mean flow) when the ratio of buoyancy forces to inertial forces is large, i.e. Nl0/u′0[Gt ]1. The lengthscale L of the perturbations in the mean profiles of stratification and shear is assumed to be large compared to l0 and the presence of a uniform background mean shear can be taken into account in the model provided that the inertial shear forces are still weaker than the buoyancy forces, i.e. when the Richardson number Ri = (N/∂zū)2[Gt ]1 at each height.When a mean shear perturbation is introduced initially with no uniform background mean shear and uniform stratification, the analysis shows that the perturbations in the mean flow profile grow on a timescale of order N-1. When the mean density profile is perturbed initially in the absence of a background mean shear, layers with significant density gradient fluctuations grow on a timescale of order N−10 (where N0 is the order of magnitude of the initial Brunt–Väisälä frequency) without any associated mean velocity gradients in the layers. These results are in good agreement with the direct numerical simulations performed by Galmiche et al. (2002) and are consistent with the earlier physically based conjectures made by Phillips (1972) and Posmentier (1977). The model also shows that when there is a background mean shear in combination with perturbations in the mean stratification, negative shear stresses develop which cause the mean velocity gradient to grow in the density layers. The linear analysis for short times indicates that the scale on which the mean perturbations grow fastest is of order u′0/N0, which is consistent with the experiments of Park et al. (1994).We conclude that linear mechanisms are widely involved in the formation of shear and density layers in stratified flows as is observed in some laboratory experiments and geophysical flows, but note that the layers are also significantly influenced by nonlinear and dissipative processes at large times.

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