Effect of contraction on turbulent channel flow

Summary Measurements in an effectively two-dimensional channel indicate that flow acceleration at constant Reynolds Number can have appreciable effects on the turbulence structure. As in wakes, the structure approaches equilibrium exponentially after the acceleration. The effect of acceleration appears to be (at least qualitatively) of the same kind as is observed when turbulence is subjected to rapid distortion.

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Zusammenfassung Messungen in einem effektiv zwei-dimensionalen Kanal zeigen, daß eine Strömungsbeschleunigung bei konstanter Reynolds-Zahl einen wesentlichen Einfluß auf die Turbulenz-Struktur haben kann. Nach der Beschleunigung findet man eine exponentielle Annäherung an das Gleichgewicht, wie bei Dellen. Der Beschleunigungs-Effekt auf die Turbulenz erscheint, wenigstens qualitativ, von der gleichen Art zu sein wie der Einfluß von raschen Verformungen.

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Symbols c_f skin-friction coefficient = - D half-width of the channel - L length of contraction=12 inches - dp/dx pressure gradient - V mean velocity in thex-direction,U=U₀ aty=D - U mean velocity - average of the mean velocity - U^* friction velocity = (₀/)^± - root mean square value of the turbulent velocity fluctuations inx, y andz directions - X coordinate in the direction of the flow;X=0 at the end of contraction - Y coordinate perpendicular to the surface of the wall on which measurements are madey=0 at the wall andy=D at the centre of the channel - ₀ Wall shear stress - density of the fluid - viscosity of the fluid - kinematic viscosity of the fluid=/