Vortex ring/viscous wall layer interaction model of the turbulence production process near walls

An experimental simulation of the interaction of vortex ring-like eddies with the sublayer of a turbulent boundary layer is investigated. An artificially generated vortex ring interacting with a Stokes' layer enables investigation of the interaction with reproducible initial conditions and in the absence of background turbulence. All of the observed features in the turbulent boundary layer production process such as the streaky structure, the pockets, the hairpin vortices, streak lift-up, oscillation, and breakup, have been observed to form. The model shows us that hairpin vortices can pinchoff and reconnect forming new vortex ring-like eddies. Interestingly, the model includes interactions that occur with low probability in the turbulent boundary layer, but which contribute significantly to transport, and may be the events most readily controllable.