256 Effect of large-scale structure on turbulent statistics in high-Reynolds number channel flow

We study passive scalars in turbulent plane channels at computationally high Reynolds number, thus allowing us to observe previously unnoticed effects. The mean scalar profiles are found to obey a generalized logarithmic law which includes a linear correction term in the whole lower half-channel, and they follow a universal parabolic defect profile in the core region. This is consistent with recent findings regarding the mean velocity profiles in channel flow. The scalar variances also exhibit a near universal parabolic distribution in the core flow and hints of a sizeable log layer, unlike the velocity variances. The energy spectra highlight the formation of large scalar-bearing eddies with size proportional to the channel height which are caused by a local production excess over dissipation, and which are clearly visible in the flow visualizations. Close correspondence of the momentum and scalar eddies is observed, with the main difference being that the latter tend to form sharper gradients, which translates into higher scalar dissipation. Another notable Reynolds number effect is the decreased correlation of the passive scalar field with the vertical velocity field, which is traced to the reduced effectiveness of ejection events.

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Fine Structure of Vortex Sheet Rollup by Viscous and Inviscid Simulation

Journal of Fluids Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.2926492 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 113 (1) ◽

pp. 31-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

G. Tryggvason ◽

W. J. A. Dahm ◽

K. Sbeih

Keyword(s):

Reynolds Number ◽

High Reynolds Number ◽

Large Scale ◽

Stokes Equations ◽

Flow Region ◽

Vortex Sheet ◽

Navier Stokes ◽

Vortex Sheets ◽

Limiting Behavior ◽

High Reynolds

Numerical simulations of the large amplitude stage of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of a relatively thin vorticity layer are discussed. At high Reynolds number, the effect of viscosity is commonly neglected and the thin layer is modeled as a vortex sheet separating one potential flow region from another. Since such vortex sheets are susceptible to a short wavelength instability, as well as singularity formation, it is necessary to provide an artificial “regularization” for long time calculations. We examine the effect of this regularization by comparing vortex sheet calculations with fully viscous finite difference calculations of the Navier-Stokes equations. In particular, we compare the limiting behavior of the viscous simulations for high Reynolds numbers and small initial layer thickness with the limiting solution for the roll-up of an inviscid vortex sheet. Results show that the inviscid regularization effectively reproduces many of the features associated with the thickness of viscous vorticity layers with increasing Reynolds number, though the simplified dynamics of the inviscid model allows it to accurately simulate only the large scale features of the vorticity field. Our results also show that the limiting solution of zero regularization for the inviscid model and high Reynolds number and zero initial thickness for the viscous simulations appear to be the same.

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