scholarly journals Canonical exact coherent structures embedded in high Reynolds number flows

Author(s):  
K. Deguchi ◽  
P. Hall

The applications and implications of two recently addressed asymptotic descriptions of exact coherent structures in shear flows are discussed. The first type of asymptotic framework to be discussed was introduced in a series of papers by Hall & Smith in the 1990s and was referred to as vortex–wave interaction theory (VWI). New results are given here for the canonical VWI problem in an infinite region; the results confirm and extend the results for the infinite problem inferred the recent VWI computation of plane Couette flow. The results given define for the first time exact coherent structures in unbounded flows. The second type of canonical structure described here is that recently found for asymptomatic suction boundary layer and corresponds to freestream coherent structures (FCS), in boundary layer flows. Here, it is shown that the FCS can also occur in flows such as Burgers vortex sheet. It is concluded that both canonical problems can be locally embedded in general shear flows and thus have widespread applicability.

2014 ◽  
Vol 752 ◽  
pp. 602-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kengo Deguchi ◽  
Philip Hall

AbstractOur concern in this paper is with high-Reynolds-number nonlinear equilibrium solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations for boundary-layer flows. Here we consider the asymptotic suction boundary layer (ASBL) which we take as a prototype parallel boundary layer. Solutions of the equations of motion are obtained using a homotopy continuation from two known types of solutions for plane Couette flow. At high Reynolds numbers, it is shown that the first type of solution takes the form of a vortex–wave interaction (VWI) state, see Hall & Smith (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 227, 1991, pp. 641–666), and is located in the main part of the boundary layer. On the other hand, here the second type is found to support an equilibrium solution of the unit-Reynolds-number Navier–Stokes equations in a layer located a distance of $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}O(\ln \mathit{Re})$ from the wall. Here $\mathit{Re}$ is the Reynolds number based on the free-stream speed and the unperturbed boundary-layer thickness. The streaky field produced by the interaction grows exponentially below the layer and takes its maximum size within the unperturbed boundary layer. The results suggest the possibility of two distinct types of streaky coherent structures existing, possibly simultaneously, in disturbed boundary layers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 870 ◽  
pp. 460-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Basley ◽  
Laurent Perret ◽  
Romain Mathis

The influence of a cube-based canopy on coherent structures of the flow was investigated in a high Reynolds number boundary layer (thickness $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\sim 30\,000$ wall units). Wind tunnel experiments were conducted considering wall configurations that represent three idealised urban terrains. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry was employed using a large field of view in a streamwise–spanwise plane ($0.55\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}\times 0.5\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}$) combined to two-point hot-wire measurements. The analysis of the flow within the inertial layer highlights the independence of its characteristics from the wall configuration. The population of coherent structures is in agreement with that of smooth-wall boundary layers, i.e. consisting of large- and very-large-scale motions, sweeps and ejections, as well as smaller-scale vortical structures. The characteristics of vortices appear to be independent of the roughness configuration while their spatial distribution is closely linked to large meandering motions of the boundary layer. The canopy geometry only significantly impacts the wall-normal exchanges within the roughness sublayer. Bi-dimensional spectral analysis demonstrates that wall-normal velocity fluctuations are constrained by the presence of the canopy for the densest investigated configurations. This threshold in plan area density above which large scales from the overlying boundary layer can penetrate the roughness sublayer is consistent with the change of the flow regime reported in the literature and constitutes a major difference with flows over vegetation canopies.


2015 ◽  
Vol 768 ◽  
pp. 261-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Meyers ◽  
Jonathan B. Forest ◽  
William J. Devenport

Experiments have been performed on a series of high-Reynolds-number flat-plate turbulent boundary layers formed over rough and smooth walls. The boundary layers were fully rough, yet the elements remained a very small fraction $({<}1.4\,\%)$ of the boundary-layer thickness, ensuring conditions free of transitional effects. The wall-pressure spectrum and its scaling were studied in detail. One of the major findings is that the rough-wall turbulent pressure spectrum at vehicle relevant conditions is comprised of three scaling regions. These include a newly discovered high-frequency region where the pressure spectrum has a viscous scaling controlled by the friction velocity, adjusted to exclude the pressure drag on the roughness elements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Hall

A strongly nonlinear theory describing the effect of small amplitude boundary forcing in the form of waves on high Reynolds number shear flows is given. The interaction leads to an $O(1)$ change in the unperturbed flow and is relevant to a number of forcing mechanisms. The cases of the shear flow being bounded or unbounded are both considered and the results for the unbounded case apply to quite arbitrary flows. The instability criterion for unbounded flows is expressed in terms of the wall forcing and the friction Reynolds number. As particular examples we investigate wall transpiration or surface undulations as sources of the forcing and both propagating and stationary waves are considered. Results are given for propagating waves with crests perpendicular to the flow direction and for stationary waves with crests no longer perpendicular to the flow direction. In the first of those situations we find the instability induced by transpiration waves is independent of the propagation speed. For wavy walls downstream propagation completely stabilises the flow at a critical speed whereas upstream propagation greatly destabilises the flow. For stationary oblique waves we find that the instability is enhanced and a much wider range of unstable wavenumbers exists. For the bounded case with a wall of fixed wavelength we identify a critical wavelength where the most dangerous mode switches from the aligned to the oblique configuration. For the transpiration problem in the oblique configuration a strong resonance occurs when the vortex wavelength coincides with the spanwise wavelength of the forcing.


2010 ◽  
Vol 661 ◽  
pp. 178-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIP HALL ◽  
SPENCER SHERWIN

The relationship between asymptotic descriptions of vortex–wave interactions and more recent work on ‘exact coherent structures’ is investigated. In recent years immense interest has been focused on so-called self-sustained processes in turbulent shear flows where the importance of waves interacting with streamwise vortex flows has been elucidated in a number of papers. In this paper, it is shown that the so-called ‘lower branch’ state which has been shown to play a crucial role in these self-sustained processes is a finite Reynolds number analogue of a Rayleigh vortex–wave interaction with scales appropriately modified from those for external flows to Couette flow, the flow of interest here. Remarkable agreement between the asymptotic theory and numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations is found even down to relatively small Reynolds numbers, thereby suggesting the possible importance of vortex–wave interaction theory in turbulent shear flows. The relevance of the work to more general shear flows is also discussed.


1997 ◽  
Vol 351 ◽  
pp. 253-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
DOUGLAS R. SMITH ◽  
ALEXANDER J. SMITS

Experiments were conducted to investigate the response of a high-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layer in a supersonic flow to the perturbation presented by a forward-facing ramp. Two ramps were used: one with sharp corners, the other with rounded corners having radii of curvature equal to 15 initial boundary layer thicknesses. The flow was turned through 20° in each of the compressions and expansions. Hence, there was no net change in the flow direction over the ramps and only a small change in free-stream conditions due to the entropy increase across relatively weak shocks. The two experiments gave similar results. In the middle of the relaxing boundary layer, the streamwise Reynolds stress undershot the undisturbed levels and exhibited a response similar to that observed in subsonic boundary layer flows recovering from an impulse of streamline curvature (Smits, Young & Bradshaw 1979b). The turbulent shear stress vanished throughout most of the boundary layer, and an overall destruction of the turbulence production mechanisms was apparent as the boundary layer exhibited a slow recovery.


1989 ◽  
Vol 206 ◽  
pp. 265-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Jensen ◽  
B. M. Sumer ◽  
J. Fredsøe

This study deals with turbulent oscillatory boundary-layer flows over both smooth and rough beds. The free-stream flow is a purely oscillating flow with sinusoidal velocity variation. Mean and turbulence properties were measured mainly in two directions, namely in the streamwise direction and in the direction perpendicular to the bed. Some measurements were made also in the transverse direction. The measurements were carried out up to Re = 6 × 106 over a mirror-shine smooth bed and over rough beds with various values of the parameter a/ks covering the range from approximately 400 to 3700, a being the amplitude of the oscillatory free-stream flow and ks the Nikuradse's equivalent sand roughness. For smooth-bed boundary-layer flows, the effect of Re is discussed in greater detail. It is demonstrated that the boundary-layer properties change markedly with Re. For rough-bed boundary-layer flows, the effect of the parameter a/ks is examined, at large values (O(103)) in combination with large Re.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Gavin ◽  
Gerald C. Lauchle

Abstract An empirical turbulence model has been developed for boundary layer flows. The goal is to simulate the statistical behavior of turbulent velocity fluctuations in both space and time using the two-point correlation field. The new model is based on physical concepts from earlier measurements and flow visualizations. In particular, it is useful to think of packets of turbulent fluid that are angled to towards the wall and convect with a velocity similar to the local mean. However, the actual behaviors which exist are complicated and sometimes quite subtle (but physically important). For instance, measurements show that the correlation field is only strongly peaked at zero time delay. This is interpreted in wavenumber space as a rapid decorrelation of the small scale eddies, and is modeled in a way that captures the transition. The new turbulence model has been calibrated using recent measurements and is now available for general studies. Efforts are underway to refine the model, improve its theoretical basis, and confirm its application to high Reynolds number flows.


2016 ◽  
Vol 802 ◽  
pp. 634-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kengo Deguchi ◽  
Philip Hall

In recent years it has been established that vortex–wave interaction theory forms an asymptotic framework to describe high Reynolds number coherent structures in shear flows. Comparisons between the asymptotic approach and finite Reynolds number computations of equilibrium states from the full Navier–Stokes equations have suggested that the asymptotic approach is extremely accurate even at quite low Reynolds numbers. However, unlike the situation with an approach based on solving the full Navier–Stokes equations numerically, the vortex–wave interaction approach has not yet been developed to study the instability of the structures it describes. In this work, a comprehensive study of the different instabilities of vortex–wave interaction states is given and it is shown that there are three different time scales on which instabilities can develop. The most dangerous type is a rapidly growing Rayleigh instability of the streak part of the flow. The least dangerous type is a slow mode operating on the diffusion time scale of the roll–streak part of the flow. The third mode of instability, which we will refer to as the edge mode of instability, occurs on a time scale midway between those of the other two modes. The existence of the latter mode explains why some exact coherent structures can act as edge states between the laminar and turbulent attractors. These stability results are compared to results from Navier–Stokes calculations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document