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The growth mechanism of turbulent bands in channel flow at low Reynolds numbers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2019

Xiangkai Xiao
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Mathematics, Tianjin University, Tianjin300072, China
Baofang Song*
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Mathematics, Tianjin University, Tianjin300072, China
*
Email address for correspondence: [email protected]

Abstract

In this work, we carried out direct numerical simulations in large channel domains and studied the kinematics and dynamics of fully localised turbulent bands at Reynolds number $Re=750$. Our results show that the downstream end of the band features fast streak generation and travels into the adjacent laminar flow, whereas streaks at the upstream end decay continually and more slowly. This asymmetry is responsible for the transverse growth of the band. We particularly investigated the mechanism of streak generation at the downstream end, which drives the growth of the band. We identified a spanwise inflectional instability associated with the local mean flow near the downstream end, and our results strongly suggest that this instability is responsible for the streak generation and ultimately for the growth of the band. Based on our study, we propose a possible self-sustaining mechanism of fully localised turbulent bands at low Reynolds numbers in channel flow.

Type
JFM Rapids
Copyright
© 2019 Cambridge University Press

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Xiao et al. supplementary movie 1

The visualisation of streak generation at the stripe head. The contours of streamwise velocity fluctuations are plotted in the x-z cut-plane at y=-0.5. Yellow represents higher velocity and blue represents lower velocity compared to the base flow at the same y position. The frame of reference is co-moving with the stripe head.

Download Xiao et al. supplementary movie 1(Video)
Video 2.9 MB

Xiao et al. supplementary movie 2

The temporal change of the profile of the spanwise velocity spatially averaged in region I (see Fig. 4(a) in the manuscript) at the stripe head.

Download Xiao et al. supplementary movie 2(Video)
Video 1.2 MB