bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viscous oscillatory flow about a circular cylinder at small to moderate Strouhal number
Authors: Badr H. M. , Dennis S. C. R. , Kocabiyik S. , Nguyen P.
Published: April 2006

The transient flow field caused by an infinitely long circular cylinder placed in an unbounded viscous fluid oscillating in a direction normal to the cylinder axis, which is at rest, is considered. The flow is assumed to be started suddenly from rest and to remain symmetrical about the direction of motion. The method of solution is based on an accurate procedure for integrating the unsteady Navier–Stokes equations numerically. The numerical method has been carried out for large values of time for both moderate and high Reynolds numbers. The effects of the Reynolds number and of the Strouhal number on the laminar symmetric wake evolution are studied and compared with previous numerical and experimental results. The time variation of the drag coefficients is also presented and compared with an inviscid flow solution for the same problem. The comparison between viscous and inviscid flow results shows a better agreement for higher values of Reynolds and a Strouhal numbers. The mean flow for large times is calculated and is found to be in good agreement with previous predictions based on boundary-layer theory.
A numerical model of the hydrodynamics of the thermal bar
Authors: Farrow Duncan E.
Published: April 2006

The thermal bar phenomenon is modelled numerically by the natural convection of a fluid contained in a two-dimensional triangular domain. The non-rotating case considered here is appropriate to laboratory models of the thermal bar. Three sets of results are presented reflecting varying degrees of nonlinearity. The results are discussed in relation to available theoretical and experimental results.
A phase-equation approach to boundary–layer instability theory: Tollmien-Schlichting waves
Authors: Hall Philip
Published: April 2006

Our concern is with the evolution of large-amplitude Tollmien-Schlichting waves in boundary-layer flows. In fact, the disturbances we consider are of a comparable size to the unperturbed state. We shall describe two-dimensional disturbances which are locally periodic in time and space. This is achieved using a phase equation approach of the type discussed by Howard & Kopell (1977) in the context of reaction-diffusion equations. We shall consider both large and O(1) Reynolds number flows though, in order to keep our asymptotics respectable, our finite-Reynolds-number calculation will be carried out for the asymptotic suction flow. Our large-Reynolds-number analysis, though carried out for Blasius flow, is valid for any steady two-dimensional boundary layer. In both cases the phase-equation approach shows that the wavenumber and frequency will develop shocks or other discontinuities as the disturbance evolves. As a special case we consider the evolution of constant frequency/wavenumber disturbances and show that their modulational instability is controlled by Burgers equation at finite-Reynolds-number and by a new integro-differential evolution equation at large-Reynolds-numbers. For the large Reynolds number case the evolution equation points to the development of a spatially localized singularity at a finite time.
Dusty-gas flow in a laminar boundary layer over a blunt body
Authors: Asmolov E. S.
Published: April 2006

Dusty-gas flow in laminar boundary layer over a body with a curved surface is considered. In addition to Stokes drag, particles experience a centrifugal force and lift which is due to fluid shear. The body size L is taken to be much greater than the relaxation length of the particle velocity due to the action of Stokes drag, & Lambda;st and is of the same order as or less than the relaxation length due to the action of lift. Λsa. Using an asymptotic approach, momentum equations for the particle phase are reduced to an algebraic equation accounting for the variation of lift coefficient with the shear and the slip velocity. Particle velocity and density are computed for the axisymmetric boundary layer in the neighbourhood of the front stagnation point of a blunt body of size much less than Λsa. It is shown that downstream of some point on the wall (the separation point) particle normal velocity becomes non-zero. As a result particle streamlines turn away from the wall, and a particle-free zone arises. The cause of separation is the lift effect; the centrifugal force cannot make the particle flow separate. This conclusion is extended to the case when L ∼ Λsa. The position of separation for the flow past a sphere is evaluated as a function of the ratio of its radius r′ and relaxation length. Dust flow ceases to separate when this value is greater than a critical value r′c /Λsa ≈ 29.2.
Numerical simulation of coastal upwelling and inerfacial instability of a rotaion and stratified fluid
Authors: Zang Yan , Street Robert L.
Published: April 2006

The evolution of the coastal upwelling and interfacial instability of a stratified and rotating fluid is studied numerically by using large-eddy simulation. Upwelling is generated near the sidewall of a rotating annulus by the shear at the top. The fluid initially consists of a stably stratified ‘two-layer’ structure with a narrow interface separating the two layers. The large-scale motion of the flow is simulated by solving the time-dependent non-hydrostaic incompressible Navier-Stockes and scalar transport equations while the small-scale motion is represented by a dynamic subgrid-scale model. The upwelling process contains both stable and unstable stratification. The vertical structure of upwelling consists of a persistent primary front, a trailing mixing zone on te shore side of the front, and a temporary secondary front which leads a top inversion layer. The longshore velocity profile has two maxima which occur at the edge of the sidewall boundary layer and at the density front. The upwelled density front is unstable to azimuthal perturbations and baroclinic waves develop and grow to large amplitude. Pairs of cyclonic and anticyclonic waves appear at the front which form ‘jet-streams’. The secondary front is unstable to azimuthal perturbations. Its instability, and the associated drop of the top inversion layer, take the form of radial bands which subsequently break up into isolated patches and eventually sink. The computed values of various upwelling time and length scales are compared to and are in good agreement with past experimental data.
Unsteady behaviour of a topography-modulated tripole
Authors: Fuentes O. U. Velasco , Heijst G. J. F. van , Lipzig N. P. M. van
Published: April 2006

The evolution of a tripolar vortex under the influence of a parabolic topography – like the free surface of a rotating fluid – is studied experimentally and with a point-vortex model. Laboratory experiments reveal that tripoles generated off-axis become asymmetric and the whole structure travels towards the centre of the tank along an anticyclonic spiral. During this translation the structure rotates quasi-periodically with the core pairing alternately with one of the satellites. An asymmetric point-vortex tripole (with the central vortex located at a distance ε from the middle point of the configuration) displays a periodic motion which is qualitatively similar to the motion of the laboratory tripoles. The exchange of fluid between the three vortices as a function of the perturbation parameter ε is studied using the lobe-dynamics technique. A point-vortex tripole modulated on the basis of conservation of potential vorticity reproduces quantitatively the trajectories of the individual vortices measured in the laboratory. As in the experiments, the model shows that fluid is strongly stirred in the region surrounding the vortex cores and that the tripole carries a finite amount of fluid.
Transition to turbulence in an elliptic vortex
Authors: Lundgren T. S. , Mansour N. N.
Published: April 2006

Stability and transition to turbulence are studied in a simple incompressible two-dimensional bounded swirling flow with a rectangular planform – a vortex in a box. This flow is unstable to three-dimensional disturbances. The instability takes the form of counter-rotating swirls perpendicular to the axis which bend the vortex into a periodic wave. As these swirls grow in amplitude the primary vorticity is compressed into thin vortex layers. These develop secondary instabilities which roll up into vortex tubes. In this way the flow attains a turbulent state which is populated by intense elongated vortex tubes and weaker vortex layers which spiral around them. The flow was computed at two Reynolds numbers by spectral methods with up to 2563 resolution. At the higher Reynolds number broad three-dimensional shell-averaged energy spectra are found with nearly a decade of Kolmogorov k−5/3 law and small-scale isotropy.
Evaporation and combustion of a slowly moving liquid fuel droplet: higher-order theory
Authors: Jog M. A. , Ayyaswamy P. S. , Cohen I. M.
Published: April 2006

The evaporation and combustion of a single-component fuel droplet which is moving slowly in a hot oxidant atmosphere have been analysed using perturbation methods. Results for the flow field, temperature and species distributions in each phase, inter-facial heat and mass transfer, and the enhancement of the mass burning rate due to the presence of convection have all been developed correct to second order in the translational Reynolds number. This represents an advance over a previous study which analysed the problem to first order in the perturbation parameter. The primary motivation for the development of detailed analytical/numerical solutions correct to second order arises from the need for such a higher-order theory in order to investigate fuel droplet ignition and extinction characteristics in the presence of convective flow. Explanations for such a need, based on order of magnitude arguments, are included in this article. With a moving droplet, the shear at the interface causes circulatory motion inside the droplet. Owing to the large evaporation velocities at the droplet surface that usually accompany drop vaporization and burning, the entire flow field is not in the Stokes regime even for low translational Reynolds numbers. In view of this, the formulation for the continuous phase is developed by imposing slow translatory motion of the droplet as a perturbation to uniform radial flow associated with vigorous evaporation at the surface. Combustion is modelled by the inclusion of a fast chemical reaction in a thin reaction zone represented by the Burke–Schumann flame front. The complete solution for the problem correct to second order is obtained by simultaneously solving a coupled formulation for the dispersed and continuous phases. A noteworthy feature of the higher-order formulation is that both the flow field and transport equations require analysis by coupled singular perturbation procedures. The higher-order theory shows that, for identical conditions, compared with the first-order theory both the flame and the front stagnation point are closer to the surface of the drop, the evaporation is more vigorous, the droplet lifetime is shorter, and the internal vortical motion is asymmetric about the drop equatorial plane. These features are significant for ignition/extinction analyses since the prediction of the location of the point of ignition/extinction will depend upon such details. This article is the first of a two-part study; in the second part, analytical expressions and results obtained here will be incorporated into a detailed investigation of fuel droplet ignition and extinction. In view of the general nature of the formulation considered here, results presented have wider applicability in the general areas of interfacial fluid mechanics and heat/material transport. They are particularly useful in microgravity studies, in atmospheric sciences, in aerosol sciences, and in the prediction of material depletion from spherical particles.
Shear flow over a liquid drop adhering to a solid surface
Authors: Li Xiaofan , Pozrikidis C.
Published: April 2006

The hydrostatic shape, transient deformation, and asymptotic shape of a small liquid drop with uniform surface tension adhering to a planar wall subject to an overpassing simple shear flow are studied under conditions of Stokes flow. The effects of gravity are considered to be negligible, and the contact line is assumed to have a stationary circular or elliptical shape. In the absence of shear flow, the drop assumes a hydrostatic shape with constant mean curvature. Families of hydrostatic shapes, parameterized by the drop volume and aspect ratio of the contact line, are computed using an iterative finite-difference method. The results illustrate the effect of the shape of the contact line on the distribution of the contact angle around the base, and are discussed with reference to contact-angle hysteresis and stability of stationary shapes. The transient deformation of a drop whose viscosity is equal to that of the ambient fluid, subject to a suddenly applied simple shear flow, is computed for a range of capillary numbers using a boundary-integral method that incorporates global parameterization of the interface and interfacial regriding at large deformations. Critical capillary numbers above which the drop exhibits continued deformation, or the contact angle increases beyond or decreases below the limits tolerated by contact angle hysteresis are established. It is shown that the geometry of the contact line plays an important role in the transient and asymptotic behaviour at long times, quantified in terms of the critical capillary numbers for continued elongation. Drops with elliptical contact lines are likely to dislodge or break off before drops with circular contact lines. The numerical results validate the assumptions of lubrication theory for flat drops, even in cases where the height of the drop is equal to one fifth the radius of the contact line.
Stationary waves on an inclined sheet of viscous fluid at high Reynolds and moderate Weber numbers
Authors: Lee Jeng-Jong , Mei Chiang C.
Published: April 2006

A theory is described for the nonlinear waves on the surface of a thin film flowing down an inclined plane. Attention is focused on stationary waves of finite amplitude and long wavelength at high Reynolds numbers and moderate Weber numbers. Based on asymptotic equations accurate to the second order in the depth-to-wavelength ratio, a third-order dynamical system is obtained after changing to the frame of reference moving at the wave propagation speed. By examining the fixed-point stability of the dynamical system, parametric regimes of heteroclinc orbits and Hopf bifurcations are delineated. Extensive numerical experiments guided by the linear analyses reveal a variety of bifurcation scenarios as the phase speed deviates from the Hopf-bifurcation thresholds. These include homoclinic bifurcations which lead to homoclinic orbits corresponding to well separated solitary waves with one or several humps, some of which occur after passing through chaotic zones generated by period-doublings. There are also cases where chaos is the ultimate state following cascades of period-doublings, as well as cases where only limit cycles prevail. The dependence of bifurcation scenarios on the inclination angle, and Weber and Reynolds numbers is summarized.
Convection in3He–superfluid-4He mixtures. Part 1. A Boussinesq analogue
Authors: Metcalfe Guy , Behringer R. P.
Published: April 2006

Dilute mixtures of3He in superfluid4He have Prandtl numbers easily tunable between those of liquid metals and water: 0.04 <Pr< 2. Moreover, owing to the tight coupling of the temperature and concentration fields, superfluid mixture convection is closely analogous to classical Rayleigh–Bénard convection, i.e. superfluid mixtures convect as if they were classical, single-component fluids, well described by the Boussinesq equations. This work has two goals. The first is to put the theory of superfluid mixture convection on a firmer basis. We accomplish this by combining experiment and analysis to measure superfluid effects on the onset of convection. In the process, we demonstrate quantitative control over superfluid effects and, in particular, that deviations from classical convective behaviour can be made small or at worst no larger than finite aspect ratio effects. The size of superfluid effects at convective onset can be less than a few percent for temperatures 1 <T< 2 K. Comparison of the measured properties of superfluid mixture roll instabilities above the onset of convection (e.g. skewed varicose, oscillatory, and particularly near the codimension-2 point) to the properties predicted by Boussinesq calculations further verifies that superfluid mixtures convect as classical fluids.

With superfluid effects understood and under control, the second goal, presented in Part 2, is to exploit the uniquePrrange of superfluid mixtures and the variable aspect ratio (Γ) capabilities of our experiment to survey convective instabilities in the broad, and heretofore largely unexplored, parameter space 0.12 <Pr< 1.4 and 2 < Γ < 95. The aim is to identify and characterize time-dependence and chaos, and to discover new dynamical behaviour in strongly nonlinear convective flows.
On the motion of three point vortices in a periodic strip
Authors: Aref Hassan , Stremler Mark A.
Published: April 2006

Motivated by observations of Williamson & Roshko of the wake of an oscillating cylinder with three vortices per cycle, and by the analyses of Rott and Aref of the motion of three vortices with vanishing net circulation on the unbounded plane, the integrable problem of three interacting, periodic vortex rows is solved. The problem is ‘mapped’ onto a problem of advection of a passive particle by a certain set of fixed point vortices. The results of this mapped problem are then re-interpreted in terms of the motion of the vortices in the original problem. A rather complicated structure of the solution space emerges with a surprisingly large number of regimes of motion, some of them somewhat counter-intuitive. Representative cases are analysed in detail, and a general procedure is indicated for all cases. We also trace the bifurcations of the solutions with changing linear momentum of the system. For rational ratios of the vortex circulations all motions are periodic. For irrational ratios this is no longer true. The point vortex results are compared to the aforementioned wake experiments and appear to shed light on the experimental observations. Many additional possibilities for the wake dynamics are suggested by the analysis.
Free convection at an axisymmetric stagnation point
Authors: Amin Norsarahaida , Riley N.
Published: April 2006

Free-convective flow in the neighbourhood of the upper pole of a heated sphere at high Grashof number is considered. Direct buoyancy effects have been studied previously, and it is known that the unsteady boundary-layer solution may terminate in singular behaviour. For a spatially varying surface temperature, a self-induced pressure gradient is present. The effects of this are examined in detail, and it is shown that a singular behaviour may again terminate the solution. The competing effects of buoyancy and induced pressure gradient are examined to delineate those cases in which a steady-state flow is achieved.
Instability and transitions of flow in a curved square duct: the development of two pairs of Dean vortices
Authors: Mees Philip A. J. , Nandakumar K. , Masliyah J. H.
Published: April 2006

Steady developing flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in a curved duct of square cross-section (the Dean problem) is investigated both experimentally and numerically. This study is a continuation of the work by Bara, Nandakumar & Masliyah (1992) and is focused on flow rates between Dn = 200 and Dn = 600 (Dn = Re/(R/a)1/2, where Re is the Reynolds number, R is the radius of curvature of the duct and a is the duct dimension; the curvature ratio, R/a, is 15.1).

Numerical simulations based on the steady three-dimensional Navier – Stokes equations predict the development of a 6-cell secondary flow pattern above a Dean number of 350. The 6-cell state consists of two large Ekman vortices and two pairs of small Dean vortices near the outer wall that result from the primary instability that is of centrifugal nature. The 6-cell flow state develops near θ = 80° and breaks down symmetrically into a 2-cell flow pattern.

The apparatus used to verify the simulations had a duct dimension of 1.27 cm and a streamwise length of 270°. At a Dean number of 453, different velocity profiles of the 6-cell flow state at θ = 90° and spanwise profiles of the streamwise velocity at every 20° were measured using a laser-Doppler anemometer. All measured velocity profiles, as well as flow visualization of secondary flow patterns, are in very good agreement with the simulations, indicating that the parabolized Navier – Stokes equations give an accurate description of the flow.

Based on the similarity with boundary layer flow over a concave wall (the Görtler problem), it is suggested that the transition to the 6-cell flow state is the result of a decreasing spanwise wavelength of the Dean vortices with increasing flow rate. A numerical stability analysis shows that the 6-cell flow state is unconditionally unstable. This is the first time that detailed experiments and simulations of the development of a 6-cell flow state are reported.
Gravity granular flows of slightly frictional particles down an inclined bumpy chute
Authors: Cao J. , Ahmadi G. , Massoudi M.
Published: April 2006

Gravity-driven granular flow of slightly frictional particles down an inclined, bumpy chute is studied. A modified kinetic model which includes the frictional energy loss effects is used, and the boundary conditions for a bumpy wall with small friction are derived by ensuring the balance of momentum and energy. At the free surface, the condition of vanishing of the solid volume fraction is used. The mean velocity, the fluctuation kinetic energy and the solid volume fraction profiles are evaluated. It is shown that steady granular gravity flow down a bumpy frictional chute could be achieved at arbitrary inclination angles. The computational results also show that the slip velocity may vary considerably depending on the granular layer height, the surface boundary roughness, the friction coefficient and the inclination angles. The model predictions are compared with the existing experimental and simulation data, and good agreement is observed. In particular, the model can well predicate the features of the variation of solid volume fraction and fluctuation energy profiles for different particle–wall friction coefficients and wall roughnesses.
Effective boundary conditions for Stokes flow over a rough surface
Authors: Sarkar Kausik , Prosperetti Andrea
Published: April 2006

Ensemble averaging combined with multiple scattering ideas is applied to the Stokes flow over a stochastic rough surface. The surface roughness is modelled by compact protrusions on an underlying smooth surface. It is established that the effect of the roughness on the flow far from the boundary may be represented by replacing the no-slip condition on the exact boundary by a partial slip condition on the smooth surface. An approximate analysis is presented for a sparse distribution of arbitrarily shaped protrusions and explicit numerical results are given for hemispheres. Analogous conclusions for the two-dimensional case are obtained. It is shown that in certain cases a traction force develops on the surface at an angle with the direction of the flow.
Boundary-layer flow around a submerged circular cylinder induced by free-surface travelling waves
Authors: Yan B. , Riley N.
Published: April 2006

We consider the fluid flow induced when free-surface travelling waves pass over a submerged circular cylinder. The wave amplitude is assumed to be small, and a suitably defined Reynolds number large, so that perturbation methods may be employed. Particular attention is focused on the steady streaming motion, which induces circulation about the cylinder. The viscous forces acting on the cylinder are calculated and compared with the pressure forces which are solely responsible for the loading on the cylinder in a purely inviscid flow.
On the linear instability of elliptic pipe flow
Authors: Kerswell R. R. , Davey A.
Published: April 2006

The linear stability of elliptic pipe flow is considered for finite aspect ratios thereby bridging the gap between the small-aspect-ratio analysis of Davey & Salwen (1994) and the large-aspect-ratio asymptotics of Hocking (1977). The flow is found to become linearly unstable above an aspect ratio of about 10.4 to the spanwise-modulated analogue of the Orr-Sommerfeld mode to which plane Poiseuille flow first loses stability. This disturbance is found to possess a series of intense vortices along its critical layer at lateral stations far removed from the central minor axis. The critical Reynolds number appears to fall from infinity as the aspect ratio increases above 10.4, ultimately approaching Hocking's (1977) asymptotic result at much larger aspect ratios.
Experimental study of the fine-scale structure of conserved scalar mixing in turbulent shear flows. Part 1. Sc [Gt ] 1
Authors: Buch Kenneth A. , Dahm Werner J. A.
Published: April 2006

We present results from an experimental investigation into the fine-scale structure associated with the mixing of a dynamically passive conserved scalar quantity on the inner scales of turbulent shear flows. The present study was based on highly resolved two- and three-dimensional spatio-temporal imaging measurements. For the conditions studied, the Schmidt number (Sc ≡ v/D) was approximately 2000 and the local outerscale Reynolds number (Reσ≡ uσ/v) ranged from 2000 to 10000. The resolution and signal quality allow direct differentiation of the measured scalar field ζ(x, t) to give the instantaneous scalar energy dissipation rate field (Re Sc)−1 ∇ζċ∇ζ(x, t). The results show that the fine-scale structure of the scalar dissipation field, when viewed on the inner-flow scales for Sc ≡ 1, consists entirely of thin strained laminar sheet-like diffusion layers. The internal structure of these scalar dissipation sheets agrees with the one-dimensional self-similar solution for the local strain–diffusion competition in the presence of a spatially uniform but time-varying strain rate field. This similarity solution also shows that line-like structures in the scalar dissipation field decay exponentially in time, while in the vorticity field both line-like and sheet-like structures can be sustained. This sheet-like structure produces a high level of intermittency in the scalar dissipation field – at these conditions approximately 4% of the flow volume accounts for nearly 25% of the total mixing achieved. The scalar gradient vector field ∇ζ(x, t) for large Sc is found to be nearly isotropic, with a weak tendency for the dissipation sheets to align with the principal axes of the mean flow strain rate tensor. Joint probability densities of the conserved scalar and scalar dissipation rate have a shape consistent with this canonical layer-like fine-scale structure. Statistics of the conserved scalar and scalar dissipation rate fields are found to demonstrate similarity on inner-scale variables even at the relatively low Reynolds numbers investigated.
Dynamics of a vortex ring in a rotating fluid
Authors: Verzicco R. , Orlandi P. , Eisenga A. H. M. , Heijst G. J. F. Van , Carnevale G. F.
Published: April 2006

The formation and the evolution of axisymmetric vortex rings in a uniformly rotating fluid, with the rotation axis orthogonal to the ring vorticity, have been investigated by numerical and laboratory experiments. The flow dynamics turned out to be strongly affected by the presence of the rotation. In particular, as the background rotation increases, the translation velocity of the ring decreases, a structure with opposite circulation forms ahead of the ring and an intense axial vortex is generated on the axis of symmetry in the tail of the ring. The occurrence of these structures has been explained by the presence of a self-induced swirl flow and by inspection of the extra terms in the Navier–Stokes equations due to rotation. Although in the present case the swirl was generated by the vortex ring itself, these results are in agreement with those of Virk et al. (1994) for polarized vortex rings, in which the swirl flow was initially assigned as a ‘degree of polarization’.

If the rotation rate is further increased beyond a certain value, the flow starts to be dominated by Coriolis forces. In this flow regime, the impulse imparted to the fluid no longer generates a vortex ring, but rather it excites inertial waves allowing the flow to radiate energy. Evidence of this phenomenon is shown.

Finally, some three-dimensional numerical results are discussed in order to justify some asymmetries observed in flow visualizations.
Integral flow properties of the swash zone and averaging
Authors: Brocchini M. , Peregrine D. H.
Published: April 2006

The swash zone is that part of a beach over which the instantaneous shoreline moves back and forth as waves meet the shore. This zone is discussed using the nonlinear shallow water equations which are appropriate for gently sloping beaches. A weakly three-dimensional extension of the two-dimensional solution by Carrier & Greenspan (1958) of the shallow water equations for a wave reflecting on an inclined plane beach is developed and used to illustrate the ideas. Thereafter attention is given to integrated and averaged quantities. The mean shoreline might be defined in several ways, but for modelling purposes we find the lower boundary of the swash zone to be more useful. A set of equations obtained by integrating across the swash zone is investigated as a model for use as an alternative boundary condition for wave-resolving studies. Comparison with sample numerical computations illustrates that they are effective in modelling the dynamics of the swash zone and that a reasonable representation of swash zone flows may be obtained from the integrated variables. The longshore flow of water in the swash zone is in many ways similar to the Stokes’ drift of propagating water waves. Further averaging is made over short waves to obtain results suitable as boundary conditions for longer period motions including the effect of incident short waves. In order to clearly present the work a few simplifications are made. The main result is that in addition to the kinematic type of boundary condition that occurs on a simple, e.g. rigid, boundary two further conditions are found in order that both the changing position of the swash zone boundary and the longshore flow in the swash zone may be determined. Models of the short waves both outside and inside the swash zone are needed to complete a full wave-averaged model; only brief indication is given of such modelling.
Time-dependent viscous deformation of a drop in a rapidly rotating denser fluid
Authors: Lister J. R. , Stone H. A.
Published: April 2006

Viscous stretching of a cigar-shaped drop due to the centrifugal pressure field in a surrounding rapidly rotating denser fluid is analysed. Scaling arguments are used to examine the various contributions to the viscous stresses resisting deformation, and a number of asymptotic regimes are identified which are delineated by the relative magnitudes of the aspect ratio, the viscosity ratio and unity. These asymptotic regimes may usefully be described as the bubble, pipe, sliding-rod and toffee-strand limits. Detailed analysis based upon a slenderness assumption combined with an integral representation of Stokes equations is used to derive evolution equations for the shape of the drop as a function of time in the different regimes. In the limit that interfacial-tension effects are negligible, similarity solutions are developed in which the length of the drop is found to increase ast2/5,t1/4, (tlnt)1/4andt. The analytical results are in good agreement with numerical simulations based upon a boundary-integral solution to the full viscous flow equations.
Subharmonic transition to turbulence in a flat-plate boundary layer at Mach number 4.5
Authors: Adams N. A. , Kleiser L.
Published: April 2006

The subharmonic transition process of a flat-plate boundary layer at a free-stream Mach number of M∞ = 4.5 and a Reynolds number of 10000 based on free-stream velocity and initial displacement thickness is investigated by direct numerical simulation up to the beginning of turbulence. A second-mode instability superimposed with random noise of low amplitude is forced initially. The secondary subharmonic instability evolves from the noise in accordance with theory and leads to a staggered Λ-vortex pattern. Finite-amplitude Λ-vortices initiate the build-up of detached high-shear layers below and above the critical layer. The detached shear-layer generation and break-up are confined to the relative-subsonic part of the boundary layer. The breakdown to turbulence can be separated into two phases, the first being the break-up of the lower shear layer and the second being the break-up of the upper shear layer. Four levels of subsequent roll-up of the lower, Y-shaped shear layer have been observed, leading to new vortical structures which are unknown from transition at low Mach numbers. The upper shear layer behaviour is similar to that of the well-known high-shear layer in incompressible boundary-layer transition. It is concluded that, as in incompressible flow, turbulence is generated via a cascade of vortices and detached shear layers with successively smaller scales. The different phases of shear-layer break-up are also reflected in the evolution of averaged quantities. A strong decrease of the shape factor, as well as an increase of the skin friction coefficient, and a gradual loss of spanwise symmetry indicate the final breakdown to turbulence, where the mean velocity and temperature profiles approach those measured in fully turbulent flow.
On an active resonant triad of mixed modes in symmetric shear flows: a plane wake as a paradigm
Authors: Wu Xuesong
Published: April 2006

In this paper, we identify a new type of resonant triad which operates in a parallel or nearly parallel shear flow with a symmetric profile. The triad consists of a planar sinuous mode, an oblique sinuous mode and an oblique varicose mode, but is not of the usual subharmonic-resonance form. The development of the triad is studied in the non-equilibrium critical-layer régime. The equations governing the evolution of the modes are derived. We show that the quadratic resonance can significantly enhance the growth of both the oblique sinuous and varicose modes, and may cause them to grow super-exponentially. This can lead to a subsequent stage in which the oblique sinuous mode produces a back reaction on the oblique varicose mode through a phase-locked interaction, causing both oblique modes to evolve even more rapidly. We suggest that the resonant triad is a viable mechanism for the development of three-dimensional structures and varicose components observed in the later stage of plane wake transition.
Lateral vorticity measurements in a turbulent wake
Authors: Antonia R. A. , Zhu Y. , Shafi H. S.
Published: April 2006

The accurate measurement of vorticity has proven difficult because of the difficulty of estimating spatial derivatives of velocity fluctuations reliably. A method is proposed for correcting the lateral vorticity spectrum measured using a four-wire probe. The attenuation of the measured spectrum increases as the wavenumber increases but does not vanish when the wavenumber is zero. Although the correction procedure assumes local isotropy, the major contributor to the high-wavenumber part of the vorticity spectrum is the streamwise derivative of the lateral velocity fluctuation, and the correction of this latter quantity does not depend on local isotropy. Satisfactory support for local isotropy is provided by the high-wavenumber parts of the velocity, velocity derivative and vorticity spectra measured on the centreline of a turbulent wake. Second- and fourth-order moments of vorticity show departures from local isotropy but the degree of departure seems unaffected by the turbulence Reynolds number Rλ. The vorticity probability density function is approximately exponential and has tails which stretch out to larger amplitudes as Rλ increases. The vorticity flatness factor, which is appreciably larger than the flatness factor of the streamwise velocity derivative, also increases with Rλ. When Rλ is sufficiently large for velocity structure functions to indicate a r2/3 inertial range, two-point longitudinal correlations of lateral vorticity fluctuations give encouraging support for the theoretical r−4/3 behaviour.
Instability of a rotating shear layer in the transonic regime
Authors: Tomasini M. , Dolez N. , Léorat J.
Published: April 2006

We have studied numerically the stability of a two-dimensional Couette flow in a polytropic fluid subjected to a localized shear, using a pseudo-spectral method (Fourier-Chebyshev). The polytropic index has been chosen equal to 2 and a radial force (pseudo-gravity) is introduced in order to perform comparisons with the shallow water experimental results. When the Reynolds number is not too low, the initial flow which is purely azimuthal becomes unstable and a stable rotating pattern is formed, with a number of azimuthal modes which decreases when the Mach number increases. A qualitative agreement is found with the experimental results, although the spatial resolution constraint strongly limits the numerical Reynolds and Mach numbers. From the variation of the linear growth rate of the unstable modes with the Mach number, we are able to show the transition between a flow subjected to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability towards one essentially driven by a centrifugal instability, which is efficient for rotating supersonic flows if the angular momentum decreases outwards. The latter situation may occur for some flows in astrophysical disks.
Computer simulations of polymer chain relaxation via Brownian motion
Authors: Grassia P. , Hinch E. J.
Published: April 2006

Numerical simulations are employed to study the Brownian motion of a bead-rod polymer chain dissolved in a solvent. An investigation is conducted of the relaxation of the stress for an initially straight chain as it begins to coil.

For a numerical time step δt in the simulations, conventional formulae for the stress involve averaging large ±O(1/(δt)1/2) contributions over many realizations, in order to yield an O(1) average. An alternative formula for the stress is derived which only contains O(1) contributions, thereby improving the quality of the statistics.

For a chain consisting of n rods in a solvent at temperature T, the component of the bulk stress along the initial chain direction arising from tensions in the rods at the initial instant is $k\hat{T}\times n(\frac{1}{3}n^2 + n +\frac{2}{3})$. Thus the bead-rod model yields results very different from other polymer models, such as the entropic spring of Flory (1969), which would assign an infinite stress to a fully aligned chain. For rods of length l and beads of friction factor $\hat{\zeta}$ the stress decays at first on $O(\hat{\zeta}\hat{l}^2/k\hat{T}\times 1/n^2)$ time scales. On longer time scales, this behaviour gives way to a more gradual stress decay, characterized by an $O(k\hat{T}\times n)$ stress following a simple exponential decay with an $O(k\hat{T}/\hat{\zeta}\hat{l}^2\times 1/n^2)$ rate. Matching these two limiting regimes, a power law decay in time t is found with stress $O(k\hat{T}\times n^2\times (k\hat{T}\hat{t}/\hat{\zeta}\hat{l}^2)^{-1/2})$. The dominant physical processes occurring in these separate short, long and intermediate time regimes are identified.
Hysteresis in swirling jets
Authors: Shtern Vladimir , Hussain Fazle
Published: April 2006

This paper explains hysteretic transitions in swirling jets and models external flows of vortex suction devices. Toward this goal, the steady rotationally symmetric motion of a viscous incompressible fluid above an infinite conical stream surface of a half-angle θc is studied. The flows analysed are generalizations of Long's vortex. They correspond to the conically similar solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations and are characterized by circulation Γc given at the surface and axial flow force J1. Asymptotic analysis and numerical calculations show that four (for θc ≤ 90°) or five (for θc > 90°) solutions exist in some range of Γc and J1.The solution branches form hysteresis loops which are related to jump transitions between various flow regimes. Four kinds of jump are found: (i) vortex breakdown which transforms a near-axis jet into a two-cell flow with a reverse flow near the axis and an annular jet fanning out along conical surface θ = θs < θc (ii) vortex consolidation causing a reversal of (i); (iii) jump flow separation from surface θ = θc and (iv) jump attachment of the swirling jet to the surface. As Γc and/or J1 decrease, the hysteresis loops disappear through a cusp catastrophe. The physical reasons for the solution non-uniqueness are revealed and the results are discussed in the context of vortex breakdown theories. Vortex breakdown is viewed as a fold catastrophe. Two new striking effects are found: (i) there is a pressure peak of O(Γ2c) inside the annular swirling jet; and (ii) a consolidated swirling jet forms with a reversed (‘anti-rocket’) flow force.
Wall-vorticity flux dynamics in a two-dimensional turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Andreopoulos J. , Agui J. H.
Published: April 2006

Four high-frequency-response pressure transducers with 10 viscous units resolution each have been used to obtain simultaneously the fluctuating pressure gradients at the wall of a zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer and then to compute the vorticity flux away from the wall. Since the viscous force on an element of incompressible fluid is determined by the local vorticity gradients, understanding of their dynamical characteristics is essential in identifying the turbulent structure. Extremely high and low amplitudes of both vorticity gradients have been observed which contribute significantly to their statistics although they have low probability of appearance. The r.m.s. of the vorticity flux when scaled with inner wall variables depends very strongly on the Reynolds number, indicating a breakdown of this type of scaling. The application of a small threshold to the data indicated two preferential directions of the vorticity flux vector. An attempt has been made to identify these high- and low-amplitude signals with physical phenomena associated with bursting-sweep processes. Vortical structures carrying bipolar vorticity are the dominant wall structures which are associated with the violent events characterized by large fluctuations of vorticity flux.
Inviscid quasi-geostrophic flow over topography: testing statistical mechanical theory
Authors: Merryfield William J. , Holloway Greg
Published: April 2006

Numerical simulations are employed in a detailed test of the statistical mechanical description of topographic turbulence. Predictions of steady flows correlated with topography are given particular attention. Agreement between numerical and statistical mechanical results is demonstrated for a large range of parameter values, and over an ensemble of random choices of topography and initial conditions.
On generation and convergence of polygonal-shaped shock waves
Authors: Apazidis N. , Lesser M. B.
Published: April 2006

A process of generation and convergence of shock waves of arbitrary form and strength in a confined chamber is investigated theoretically. The chamber is a cylinder with a specifically chosen form of boundary. Numerical calculations of reflection and convergence of cylindrical shock waves in such a chamber filled with fluid are performed. The numerical scheme is similar to the numerical procedure introduced by Henshaw et al. (1986) and is based on a modified form of Whitham's theory of geometrical shock dynamics (1957, 1959). The technique used in Whitham (1968) for treating a shock advancing into a uniform flow is modified to account for non-uniform conditions ahead of the advancing wave front. A new result, that shocks of arbitrary polygonal shapes may be generated by reflection of cylindrical shocks off a suitably chosen reflecting boundary, is shown. A study is performed showing the evolution of the shock front's shape and Mach number distribution. Comparisons are made with a theory which does not account for the non-uniform conditions in front of the shock. The calculations provide details of both the reflection process and the shock focusing.
The initial response of a stratified lake to a surface shear stress
Authors: Stevens Craig , Imberger Jörg
Published: April 2006

Laboratory experiments are used to study the initial response of a stratified fluid to the action of a wind stress. The experiments are described in the context of a parameterization scheme that quantifies the strength of the applied stress relative to the bulk stability of the fluid and also the duration of the wind stress relative to the periods of the waves generated by the stress. This study concentrates on the first fundamental internal wave period in experiments where the fluid is considered to have upwelled, i.e. the stratified region of the fluid reaches the surface at the upwind endwall. The majority of the experiments use three-layer initial density profiles as an approximation to a continuously stratified water column.

A linear model using normal modes proved successful prior to the commencement of upwelling and this enabled an estimate to be made of the time at which upwelling occurred. At this point the wave development ceased and the flows developed via entrainment mechanisms. Consideration of the energy budget showed that little of the input energy was stored in the system. The initial mixing efficiency, defined as the ratio of the mean potential energy gained to the energy imparted by the belt, never exceeded 30%. Peak efficiency occurred when the surface stress was just sufficient to bring the interfacial region to the surface.
Three-dimensional vortex structures in a cylinder wake
Authors: Wu J. , Sheridan J. , Welsh M. C. , Hourigan K.
Published: April 2006

The three-dimensionality of the velocity field in the wake of a circular cylinder has excited considerable interest and debate over the past decade. Presented here are experimental results that characterize the underlying vorticity field of such wakes. Using particle image velocimetry (PIV), instantaneous velocity fields were measured and from these the vorticity of the longitudinal vortices lying in the region between Kármán vortices was found. Near the saddle point, induced by the stretching of the Kármán vortices, the vorticity of the longitudinal vortices was found to be greater than the Kármán vortices themselves. Their circulation was of the order of 10% of the Kármán vortices. The high levels of vorticity result from the stretching of the longitudinal vortices, as evident in the topology of the vortices. It is shown that the longitudinal vortices are locked in phase to the KármánK vortices, effectively riding on their backs in the braid region. While only one mode of longitudinal vortex formation was observed, evidence was found of a step change in the vorticity levels at a Reynolds number of approximately 200. This is consistent with the transition point between the two modes of vortex shedding shown to exist by Williamson (1988). It had previously been proposed that the observed vortex patterns were consistent with the evolution of the longitudinal vortices from perturbations of vortex lines in the separating shear layer which experience self-induction and stretching from the Kármán vortices. Evidence is presented that supports this model.