Lower branch coherent states in shear flows: transition and control

Lower branch coherent states in plane Couette flow have an asymptotic structure that consists of O(1) streaks, O(R(-1)) streamwise rolls and a weak sinusoidal wave that develops a critical layer, for large Reynolds number R. Higher harmonics become negligible. These unstable lower branch states appear to have a single unstable eigenvalue at all Reynolds numbers. These results suggest that lower branch coherent states control transition to turbulence and that they may be promising targets for new turbulence prevention strategies.     

Longitudinal structures in the near field of a plane wall jet

In the present study, the flow field near the orifice of a plane wall jet is in focus. Two main flow regions may be distinguished in the wall jet, i. e., a free shear layer away from the wall and a boundary layer close to the surface. In both of these layers, streamwise coherent structures are detected by means of smoke visualization and hot-wire measurements. The structures, which occur naturally, have different spanwise scales and emerge at different distance from the nozzle. Effects of the flow velocity, upstream perturbations, and acoustic excitation on the generation and characteristics of the streamwise disturbances are investigated, and especially the interaction between the two layers is studied. In order to resolve the complex 3D flow by means of hotwires a system for accurate automated traversing and data acquisition has been developed. In each flow case time-dependent measurements were taken in (X, Y, Z) space of about 3000 to 25,000 points, and it was found that the value of outlet velocity and the frequency of Kelvin — Helmholtz rolls have a clear influence on the size of the structures. Higher outlet velocities and higher frequencies of triggered two-dimensional roll-ups lead to a decrease in the size of longitudinal structures.     

Origin of effectiveness degradation in active drag reduction control of turbulent channel flow at Reτ = 1000

Direct numerical simulations of turbulent channel flows are performed with opposition control at Re_τ = 180 and 1000. The drag reduction rate at the higher Reynolds number is reduced by 25% compared with that at the lower Reynolds number. In order to investigate the reason for the degradation of the control effectiveness, we examine the response of Reynolds stresses and coherent structures in both the outer and inner regions to the control and the role that large-scale motions play therein. In the outer region, the Reynolds stresses at different length scales are reduced at the same rate as the drag reduction rate, and conditionally averaged large-scale motions with spanwise scale larger than half channel width are still large-scale low-speed streaks flanked by a pair of large-scale counter-rotating streamwise vortices but with reduced velocity amplitudes. In the inner region, the effectiveness of the control in suppressing the turbulence deteriorates at the higher Reynolds number. In response to the superimposition effect of large-scale motions, the contribution to near-wall wall-parallel velocity fluctuations from large-scale motions becomes larger at the higher Reynolds number, while the suppression of large-scale motions by the control is weaker than that of near-wall coherent structures. In both controlled and uncontrolled cases, large-scale motions can modulate the amplitudes of near-wall coherent structures, and the attenuation of streamwise vortices by the control under large-scale high-speed streaks is significantly less effective than that under large-scale low-speed streaks. As a result, the effectiveness of control in suppressing near-wall coherent structures and Reynolds shear stresses becomes weaker at the higher Reynolds number. The quantitative analysis of the contributions to the drag reduction rate from outer and inner regions shows that the effectiveness of the control is mainly determined by the suppression degree of near-wall motions. Furthermore, budgets of streamwise enstrophy are analysed to reveal the interaction of large-scale motions with near-wall streamwise vorticity. The titling effect induced by large-scale motions is positive under large-scale high-speed streaks, but negative under large-scale low-speed streaks, which could be a possible way of large-scale motion to modulate streamwise vorticity. In the controlled cases, the positive titling effect induced by large-scale motions under large-scale high-speed streaks is even enhanced, while other terms in the budgets are reduced, which could explain the degradation of control effectiveness in suppressing near-wall streamwise vortices under large-scale high-speed streaks. Therefore, the loss in the drag reduction rate at the higher Reynolds number is due to the weakened control effectiveness on near-wall coherent structures, which are exposed to the modulation effect of large-scale motions.     

湍流边界层内流向涡的数值模拟研究

采用准二维共振三波作为湍流边界层近壁区相干结构初值,用直接数值模拟方法计算了流动从二维结构发展到三维结构并且伴随流向涡生成的整个过程,分析结果显示流向涡对湍流动能和质量传输有着重要作用,是湍流边界层相干结构的重要特征和运动形式.     

湍流边界层对数律区相干结构的Tomo-TRPIV实验研究

应用层析高时间分辨率粒子图像测速技术（tomographic time-resolved particle image velocimetry，Tomo-TRPIV），测量了Re_θ=2 460的平板湍流边界层三维3分量瞬时速度场的时间序列.提出湍流空间多尺度局部平均速度结构函数的概念，应用流向脉动速度沿流向的空间多尺度局部平均速度结构函数的正负过零点法，从瞬时脉动速度场中检测相干结构的喷射和扫掠事件，对检测到的喷射和扫掠事件的瞬态局部速度场、速度梯度场、涡量场、速度变形率场进行空间相位对齐叠加平均，获得喷射和扫掠事件的局部速度场、速度梯度场、涡量场、速度变形率场的典型特征.研究发现，相干结构喷射和扫掠时，速度梯度、速度变形率、涡量均表现为空间反对称分布的4极子结构.特别是流向涡量是沿流向、法向、展向均为反对称分布的法向多层4极子结构，表明法向各层相干结构是紧密联系，互相关联的.这种法向多层的4极子反对称结构导致强烈的动量、质量和能量交换，维持了相干结构的演化和发展过程.      

Toward a structural understanding of turbulent drag reduction: nonlinear coherent states in viscoelastic shear flows

Nontrivial steady flows have recently been found that capture the main structures of the turbulent buffer layer. We study the effects of polymer addition on these "exact coherent states" (ECS) in plane Couette flow. Despite the simplicity of the ECS flows, these effects closely mirror those observed experimentally: Structures shift to larger length scales, wall-normal fluctuations are suppressed while streamwise ones are enhanced, and drag is reduced. The mechanism underlying these effects is elucidated. These results suggest that the ECS are closely related to buffer layer turbulence.     

高聚物减阻溶液对壁湍流输运过程的影响

基于相同雷诺数下清水和高分子聚合物溶液壁湍流的高时间分辨率粒子图像测速技术(time-resolved particle image velocimetry, TRPIV)的对比实验, 从高聚物溶液对湍流边界层动量能量输运影响的角度分析其减阻的机理. 对比两者的雷诺应力发现高聚物的存在抑制了湍流输运过程. 这一影响与高聚物对壁湍流中占主导地位的涡旋运动和低速条带等相干结构的作用密切相关. 运用条件相位平均、相关函数和线性随机估计(linear stochastic estimation, LSE)等方法, 分析提取了高聚物溶液流场中的发卡涡和发卡涡包等典型相干结构的空间拓扑形态. 相比于清水, 高聚物溶液中相干结构的流向尺度增大, 涡旋运动的发展及低速流体喷射的强度受到削弱, 表明了添加的高聚物阻碍了湍流原有的能量传递和自维持的机理. 正是通过影响相干结构, 高聚物抑制了湍流边界层中近壁区与外区之间的动量和能量输运, 使得湍流的无序性降低, 从而减小了湍流流动的阻力.     

Visualization of sinusoidal and varicose instabilities of streaks in a boundary layer

Nonlinear instabilities of boundary layer streaks are investigated experimentally. Extensive measurements visualizing the sinusoidal and varicose instabilities of streaky structures at nonlinear stage of the breakdown process in boundary layer are presented. The flow behaviour in the course of spatial evolution of the streaky structures with a secondary high-frequency disturbance generated on them is discussed. Various scenarios of origination and development of coherent vortex structures examined in physical experiments are considered. Specific features of the development of sinusoidal and varicose cases of destruction of the steady streamwise streaks are demonstrated, such as transverse and streamwise modulations of the streak by the secondary-disturbance frequency, appearance of new streaky structures in the downstream direction, and emergence and evolution of unsteady Λ-shaped structures localized in space in both cases.     

Numerical visualization of vortical structures in a spatially evolving turbulent compressible mixing layer

Large-eddy simulations are performed to numerically visualize the generation of streamwise vortical structures and its interaction with spanwisely rolled-up coherent vortical structure during the spatial development of a turbulent supersonic/subsonic mixing layer at convective Mach numberM _c =0.51. Time-dependent three-dimensional compressible conservation equations were solved with a subgrid-scale turbulence model. The numerical code used the finite-volume technique, which adopted alternately in temporal discretization the second-order, explicit MacCormack’s and modified Godunov’s schemes. Both transverse and spanwise perturbations were imposed initially for promoting the formation of spanwise rollers and counter-rotating streamwise vortices, respectively. Numerical visualizations are presented in terms of time-sequence isopressure surfaces and vorticity contours of spanwise and streamwise components. The results show that the spatial growth of three-dimensional vortical structures, in particular, the formation of chain-link-fence type structures, is adequately captured by the present computations. Vorticity dynamics is further analyzed, for the first time, to identify the dominant roles played by the convection effect followed by the vortex stretching effect on affecting the evolution of streamwise and spanwise vortical structures, respectively, forM _c <0.6.     

横向粗糙元壁面槽道湍流的大涡模拟研究

采用大涡模拟和浸没边界法相结合对不同高度和不同间距横向粗糙元壁面槽道湍流进行了模拟,得到了光滑壁面和粗糙壁面湍流的流向平均速度分布,雷诺剪切应力,脉动速度均方根和近壁区拟序结构。结果发现横向粗糙元降低了流向平均速度,增大了流动阻力,粗糙壁面湍流的雷诺剪切应力大于光滑壁面。粗糙元降低了流向脉动速度,增强了展向和法向脉动速度。粗糙元高度越高,对湍流流动影响越大,而粗糙元间距对湍流统计特性的影响不大。粗糙壁面仍然存在着和光滑壁面类似的条带结构。     

Turbulent Boundary Layer Control via a Streamwise Travelling Wave Induced by an External Force

Turbulent boundary layer control via a streamwise travelling wave is investigated based on direct numerical simulation of an incompressible turbulent channel flow. The streamwise travelling wave is induced on one side wall of the channel by a spanwise external force, e.g., Lorenz force, which is con~ned in the viscous sublayer. As the control strategy used in this study has never been examined, we pay our attention to its efficiency of drag control. It is revealed that the propagating direction of the travelling wave, i.e., the downstream or upstream propagating direction with respect to the streamwise flow, has an important role on the drag control, leading to a significant drag reduction or enhancement for the parameters considered. The coherent structures of turbulent boundary layer are altered and the underlying mechanisms are analysed. The results obtained provide physical insight into the understanding of turbulent boundary layer control.     

Gusty wind disturbances and large-scale turbulent structures in the neutral atmospheric surface layer

This study analyzes the contribution of large-scale turbulent structures, including very large-scale and large-scale motions, to the streamwise turbulent kinetic energy and momentum flux in comparison with the contribution of the gusty wind disturbances based on the high-quality data obtained from the field measurements conducted in the near-neutral surface layer. The results of this study denote that the gusty wind disturbances contain only a portion of the energy contained in very large-scale motions and do not contain any of the information contained in large-scale motions. The amount of lost contributions to the streamwise turbulent kinetic energy and momentum flux increases linearly with the friction velocity, eventually becoming 53% and 67%,respectively. This indicates that large-scale turbulent structures(very large-scale motions and large-scale motions) better describe the coherent structures in the atmospheric surface layer when compared with the gusty wind disturbances.     

湍流射流与扩散火焰大涡拟序结构的波动特性研究

１前言湍流射流扩散燃烧方式提供了射流火焰与涡团相互作用的最基本形式,对研究在湍流射流剪切边界层内的反应物的卷吸混合、热量及动量的输运及湍流射流结构方面具有其特殊的意义。Ｋａｔｔａ［１］利用浮力与单步反应机理模型对Ｎ２－Ｈ２射流扩散火焰进行了直接数值模...     

Scalar dispersion by coherent structures in uniformly sheared flow generated in a water tunnel

In order to investigate the role of coherent structures as mechanisms of scalar dispersion, we studied measurements of a passive scalar plume released in a uniformly sheared turbulent flow generated in a water tunnel. The flow had homogeneous turbulence properties in the measurement domain and contained hairpin vortices similar to those in boundary layers, and so was an ideal test bed to study the effects of coherent structures on turbulent dispersion, free from the effects of inhomogeneities or boundaries. Measurements of the velocity and concentration fields were acquired simultaneously using stereo particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence. We found that dye was preferentially located far away from vortices and was less likely to appear in close proximity to vortices, which is attributed to the high dissipation at the periphery of the vortices. However, we also found that dye was not directly correlated with the uniform momentum zones in the flow, suggesting a more complex relationship exists between these zones, the locations of vortices, and dye transport. Considering scalar flux events rather than simply the presence of dye as our condition of interest, a conditional eddy analysis demonstrated that hairpin vortices are responsible for the large scalar flux events as well as the large Reynolds stress events in the flow. The fact that the Reynolds stress was correlated with the scalar flux further confirmed that coherent structures are dominant mechanisms for scalar transport. Furthermore, we found that the scalar flux vector was preferentially inclined by 155° and ?25° with respect to the streamwise direction, and was thus approximately orthogonal to the planes of the legs of the most common upright and inverted hairpin structures in the flow. These findings demonstrate that coherent structures play an important and intricate role in turbulent diffusion.     

Harbingers and latecomers – the order of appearance of exact coherent structures in plane Poiseuille flow

The transition to turbulence in plane Poiseuille flow (PPF) is connected with the presence of exact coherent structures. We here discuss a variety of different structures that are relevant for the transition, compare the critical Reynolds numbers and optimal wavelengths for their appearance, and explore the differences between flows operating at constant mass flux or at constant pressure drop. The Reynolds numbers quoted here are based on the mean flow velocity and refer to constant mass flux. Reynolds numbers based on constant pressure drop are always higher. The Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) waves bifurcate subcritically from the laminar profile at Re = 5772 at wavelength 6.16 and reach down to Re = 2610 at a different optimal wave length of 4.65. Their streamwise localised counter part bifurcates at the even lower value Re = 2334. Three-dimensional exact solutions appear at much lower Reynolds numbers. We describe one exact solutions that has a critical Reynolds number of 316. Streamwise localised versions of this state require higher Reynolds numbers, with the lowest bifurcation occurring near Re = 1018. The analysis shows that the various branches of TS-waves cannot be connected with transition observed near Re ≈ 1000 and that the exact coherent structures related to downstream vortices come in at lower Reynolds numbers and prepare for the transition.     

Defect-mediated snaking: A new growth mechanism for localized structures

Stationary spatially localized patterns in parametrically driven systems are studied, focusing on the 2:1 and 1:1 resonance tongues as described by the forced complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. Homoclinic snaking is identified in both cases and the nature of the growth of the localized structures along the snaking branches is described. The structures grow from a central defect that inserts new rolls on either side, while pushing existing rolls outwards. This growth mechanism differs fundamentally from that found in other systems exhibiting homoclinic snaking in which new rolls are added at the fronts that connect the structure to the background homogeneous state.     

Statistics of tumbling of a single polymer molecule in shear flow

We present experimental results on statistics of polymer orientation angles relative to the shear plane and tumbling times in shear flow with thermal noise. The strong deviation of the probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the orientation angles from Gaussian PDFs was observed in good accord with theory. A universal exponential PDF tail for the tumbling times and its predicted scaling with Wi (that is, the dimensionless shear rate normalized by the polymer relaxation time) are also tested experimentally against numerics. The scaling relations of PDF widths for both angles as a function of Wi are verified and compared with numerics.     

Small scale intermittency and bursting in a turbulent channel flow

The statistical properties of the streamwise velocity fluctuations in a fully developed turbulent channel flow are studied experimentally by means of single hot wire measurements. The intermittency features, studied through the scaling of the moments of the velocity structure function computed using the extended self- similarity and through the probability density function of the wavelet coefficients, are found to be dependent on the distance from the wall. The maximum intermittency effects are observed in the region between the buffer layer and the inner part of the logarithmic region where it is known that the bursting phenomenon, related to coherent structures such as low speed streaks and streamwise vortices, is the dominant dynamical feature. An eduction technique based on wavelet transform for identification of organized motion is developed and used to analyze the turbulent signals. Streamwise velocity conditional averages computed on events educed with the proposed method are reported. Events responsible for intermittency are found to consist of regions of high velocity gradients and are directly correlated with the observed increase of intermittency close to the wall.     

Experimental investigation on drag reduction in a turbulent boundary layer with a submerged synthetic jet

This work investigates the active control of a fully developed turbulent boundary layer by a submerged synthetic jet actuator.The impacts of the control are explored by measuring the streamwise velocities using particle image velocimetry,and reduction of the skin-friction drag is observed in a certain range downstream of the orifice.The coherent structure is defined and extracted using a spatial two-point correlation function,and it is found that the synthetic jet can efficiently reduce the streamwise scale of the coherent structure.Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis reveals that large-scale turbulent kinetic energy is significantly attenuated with the introduction of a synthetic jet.The conditional averaging results show that the induction effect of the prograde vortex on the low-speed fluid in a large-scale fluctuation velocity field is deadened,thereby suppressing the bursting process near the wall.     

基于流动显示的压缩拐角流动结构定量研究

在Ma = 3.0的超声速风洞中, 采用NPLS技术对上游边界层为层流的25° 压缩拐角进行了流动显示实验, 获得了压缩拐角的精细流动结构, 边界层、剪切层和激波等结构清晰可见. 基于流动显示数据, 采用间歇性、空间相关性和分形分析对流动结构进行了定量研究, 计算了边界层和分离区的间歇因子分布, 获取了边界层中拟序结构和结构角的大小, 给出了边界层分形维数的分布, 并与Ringuette和Bookey等的实验结果进行比较, 阐述了压缩拐角流动结构的定量特征.