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The distortion of turbulence by irrotational plane strain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

H. J. Tucker  and
A. J. Reynolds
H. J. Tucker
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
A. J. Reynolds
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q.
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Abstract

The experiments reported here extend those of Townsend which form the basis of his model of free turbulence. Here straining is carried to a strain ratio of 6:1, while Townsend's straining went only to 4:1. Two kinds of distorting ducts are used to produce the uniform mean strain applied to initially nearly isotropic grid turbulence.

The results differ from Townsend's in that: (i) a considerably higher degree of anisotropy is achieved, Townsend's measure of anisotropy attaining values up to 0·6, rather than the maximum of 0·42 he found; (ii) there is no evidence that an equilibrium structure is attained; and (iii) the strained turbulence rapidly becomes less anisotropic when the straining ceases.

It is found to be possible to predict the variation of the total turbulence energy using rapid-distortion theory with a correction for decay. However, the individual components cannot be accurately predicted in this way.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , 18 June 1968 , pp. 657 - 673
Copyright
© 1968 Cambridge University Press

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