Turbulence in transient channel flow

• Published in: Journal of fluid mechanics Vol. 715; pp. 60 - 102
• Main Authors: He, S., Seddighi, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 25.01.2013
• Subjects: Boundary layer; Boundary layers; Channel flow; Exact sciences and technology; Flow rates; Flows in ducts, channels, nozzles, and conduits; Fluid dynamics; Fluid mechanics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Kinetic energy; Laminar flow; Physics; Reynolds number; Transition to turbulence; Turbulent flow; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; turbulent transition; turbulent flows; pipe flow boundary layer; Pipe flow; Skin friction; Digital simulation; Vorticity; Modelling; Velocity distribution; Transition flow; Boundary layers; Turbulence structure; Turbulent laminar transition

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are performed of a transient channel flow following a rapid increase of flow rate from an initially turbulent flow. It is shown that a low-Reynolds-number turbulent flow can undergo a process of transition that resembles the laminar–turbulent transition. In respons...