FULLY 3D RAYLEIGH–TAYLOR INSTABILITY IN A BOUSSINESQ FLUID
Keyword(s):
Rayleigh–Taylor instability occurs when a heavier fluid overlies a lighter fluid, and the two seek to exchange positions under the effect of gravity. We present a linearized theory for arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) initial disturbances that grow in time, and calculate the evolution of the interface for early times. A new spectral method is introduced for the fully 3D nonlinear problem in a Boussinesq fluid, where the interface between the light and heavy fluids is approximated with a smooth but rapid density change in the fluid. The results of large-scale numerical calculation are presented in fully 3D geometry, and compared and contrasted with the early-time linearized theory.
Keyword(s):
2005 ◽
Vol 207
(2)
◽
pp. 610-624
◽
2009 ◽
Vol 20
(11)
◽
pp. 1803-1816
◽