The problems of dynamical onset of convection, textural transitions and chaotic dynamics in a two-dimensional, rectangular Rayleigh-Bénard system have been investigated using well-resolved, pseudo-spectral simulations. All boundary conditions are taken to be no-slip. It is shown that the process of creating the temperature gradient in the system, is responsible for roll creation at the side boundaries. These rolls either induce new rolls or move into the interior of the cell, depending on the rate of heating. Complicated flow patterns and textural transitions are observed in both non-chaotic and chaotic flow regimes. Multistability is frequently observed. Intermediate-Prandtl-number fluids (e.g. 0.71) have a quasiperiodic time dependence up to Rayleigh numbers of order 106. When the Prandtl number is raised to 6.8, one observes aperiodic (chaotic) flows of non-integer dimension. In this case roll merging and separation is observed to be an important feature of the dynamics. In some cases corner rolls are observed to migrate into the interior of the cell and to grow into regular rolls; the large rolls may shrink and retreat into corners. The basic flow patterns observed do not change qualitatively when the chaotic regime is entered.

The compositional stratification in solid formed by cooling a binary alloy from below is investigated theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that in order to grow composite solid the boundary temperature needs to be below the eutetic temperature. Two separate cases are considered. In the first, heavy fluid is released on solidification. The solid growth is then governed by the diffusive transport of heat and composition. The resultant solid is shown to have a fixed composition until the far-field conditions change. In the second case, light fluid is released on solidification. This generates turbulent compositional convection in the melt which significantly increases the transport of heat and composition across the solid/melt interface. As a result, the fraction of heavy component in the solid initially increases, but subsequently decreases to conserve mass. A simple theoretical model, using the approximation of a flat solid/melt interface is developed; this predicts differences in the thermal flux in saturated and undersaturated melts. Laboratory experiments involving aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate cooled from below which released light fluid displayed compositional convection and stratification of the solid as predicted.

The development of the wake behind a flat plate at a supercritical Reynolds number (Re = 200, based on the plate thickness and free-stream velocity) is simulated numerically by solving the two-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations with a finite-difference Galerkin method. The intermediate quasi-steady state of the wake development is investigated with an Orr-Sommerfeld analysis for complex frequencies and wavenumbers. Based on this linear, local stability analysis it can be shown that the quasi-steady state can be divided into regions of local absolute and local convective instability. One goal of this work is to determine the validity of the linear, local stability theory by comparing the predictions of the Orr-Sommerfeld analysis to the results of a numerical wake simulation. Based on this comparison, for the investigated flow field, the frequency selection mechanisms recently proposed by several authors are discussed. Base bleed is applied in the numerical simulation of the wake as a control parameter, following the well-known experimental result that sufficient base bleed reduces the strength of the vortex street (see e.g. Wood 1964). It can be shown that from a critical base-bleed ratio, disturbances grow no longer in time but only in space, indicating a change of the global stability characteristics. In addition the linear, local stability analysis is used to investigate to what extent this global transition can be described.

The method of contour dynamics (CD) is applied to several inviscid prototype flows typical of the motions found in the transition region of the free shear layer. Examples of the interaction between the fundamental streamwise-layer perturbation and its first subharmonic are presented that illustrate the events of pairing and tearing of two rolled-up cores and also the coalescence of three rolled-up cores. The present simulations of the temporally unstable two-dimensional layer, at effectively infinite Reynolds number, support the hypothesis that the dynamics of the large-scale roll-up is only weakly dependent on Reynolds number. However, we find fine-scale structure that is not apparent in previous simulations at moderate Reynolds number. Spiral filaments of rotational fluid wrap around the rolled-up vortex cores producing ‘spiky’ vorticity distributions together with the entanglement of large quantities of irrotational fluid into the layer. Simulations proceeded only until the first such event because we were unable to resolve the fine detail generated subsequently. The inclusion of prescribed vortex stretching parallel to the vortex lines is found to accelerate the initial roll-up and to enhance the production of spiral vortex filaments. In the fundamental-subharmonic interaction, vortex stretching slows but does not prevent pairing.

Edge waves of frequency ω and longshore wavenumber k in water of depth h(y) = h1H(σy/h1), 0 [les ] y < ∞, are calculated through an asymptotic expansion in σ/kh1 on the assumptions that σ [Lt ] 1 and kh1 = O(1). Approximations to the free-surface displacement in an inner domain that includes the singular point at h = 0 and the turning point near gh ≈ ω2/K2 and to the eigenvalue λ ≡ ω2/σgh are obtained for the complete set of modes on the assumption that h(y) is analytic. A uniformly valid approximation for the free-surface displacement and a variational approximation to Λ are obtained for the dominant mode. The results are compared with the shallow-water approximations of Ball (1967) for a slope that decays exponentially from σ to 0 as h increases from 0 to h1 and of Minzoni (1976) for a uniform slope that joins h = 0 to a flat bottom at h = h1 and with the geometrical-optics approximation of Shen, Meyer & Keller (1968).

Weakly nonlinear theory is used to study the porous-medium analogue of the classical Rayleigh-Bénard problem, i.e. Lapwood convection in a saturated porous layer heated from below. Two particular aspects of the problem are focused upon: (i) the effect of thermal imperfections on the stability characteristics of steady rolls near onset; and (ii) the evolution of unstable rolls.

For Rayleigh-Bénard convection it is well known (see Busse and co-workers 1974, 1979, 1986) that the stability of steady two-dimensional rolls near onset is limited by the presence of cross-roll, zigzag and sideband disturbances; this is shown to be true also in Lapwood convection. We further determine the modifications to the stability boundaries when small-amplitude imperfections in the boundary temperatures are present. In practice imperfections would usually consist of broadband thermal noise, but it is the Fourier component with wavenumber close to the critical wavenumber for the perfect problem (i.e. in the absence of imperfections) which, when present, has the greatest effect due to resonant forcing. This particular case is the sole concern of the present paper; other resonances are considered in a complementary study (Rees & Riley 1989).

For the case when the modulations on the upper and lower boundaries are in phase, asymptotic analysis and a spectral method are used to determine the stability of roll solutions and to calculate the evolution of the unstable flows. It is shown that steady rolls with spatially deformed axes or spatially varying wavenumbers evolve. The evolution of the flow that is unstable to sideband disturbances is also calculated when the modulations are π out of phase. Again rolls with a spatially varying wavenumber result.

The present work investigates the dynamics of the one-dimensional, unsteady flow of a spherical bubble cloud subject to harmonic far-field pressure excitation. Bubble dynamics effects and energy dissipation due to viscosity, heat transfer, liquid compressibility and relative motion of the two phases are included. The equations of motion for the average flow and the bubble radius are linearized and a closed-form solution is obtained. The results are then generalized by means of Fourier synthesis to the case of arbitrary far-field pressure excitation. The flow displays various regimes (sub-resonant, trans-resonant and super-resonant) with different properties depending on the value of the relevant flow parameters. Examples are discussed in order to show the effects of the inclusion of the various energy dissipation mechanisms. Finally the results for the case of Gaussian-shaped far-field pressure change are presented and the most important limitations of the theory are briefly discussed. The simple linearized dynamical analysis developed so far clearly demonstrates the importance of the complex phenomena connected to the interaction of the dynamics of the bubbles with the flow and provides an introduction to the more realistic study of the same flows with nonlinear bubble dynamics.

Rock, snow and ice masses are often dislodged on steep slopes of mountainous regions. The masses, which typically are in the form of innumerable discrete blocks or granules, initially accelerate down the slope until the angle of inclination of the bed approaches the horizontal and bed friction eventually brings them to rest. The present paper describes an initial investigation which considers the idealized problem of a finite mass of material released from rest on a rough inclined plane. The granular mass is treated as a frictional Coulomb-like continuum with a Coulomb-like basal friction law. Depth-averaged equations of motion are derived; they bear a superficial resemblance to the nonlinear shallow-water wave equations. Two similarity solutions are found for the motion. They both are of surprisingly simple analytical form and show a rather unanticipated behaviour. One has the form of a pile of granular material in the shape of a parabolic cap and the other has the form of an M-wave with vertical faces at the leading and trailing edges. The linear stability of the similarity solutions is studied. A restricted stability analysis, in which the spread is left unperturbed shows them to be stable, suggesting that mathematically both are possible asymptotic wave forms. Two numerical finite-difference schemes, one of Lagrangian, the other of Eulerian type, are presented. While the Eulerian technique is able to reproduce the M-wave similarity solution, it appears to give spurious results for more general initial conditions and the Lagrangian technique is best suited for the present problem. The numerical predictions are compared with laboratory experiments of Huber (1980) involving the motion of gravel released from rest on a rough inclined plane. Although in these experiments the continuum approximation breaks down at large times when the gravel layer is only a few particle diameters thick, the general features of the development of the gravel mass are well predicted by the numerical solutions.

In this paper we investigate the effect of a weak vertical magnetic field on the boundary-layer flow of an electrically conducting fluid past a vertical heated wall. We derive similarity solutions for the flow and temperature and show that the flow is composed of three regions: an inner region where the flow is a regular perturbation of the classical boundary-layer flow due to a heated semi-infinite vertical plate; an inviscid outer region where fluid is entrained from downwards towards the plate; and beyond this a quiescent region, separated from the outer region by a free shear layer. Thus the effect of the magnetic field is to inhibit the entrainment of fluid across the magnetic field lines in the whole region and confine it to an outer boundary layer.

The paper formulates the concept of a semi-preserving developing of a free nonisothermal swirling jet. On the basis of experimental data it may be estimated that the semi-preserving conditions are established at the distance x − x0 ≈ (15−20) D. Also, it has been pointed out that self-preservation, which requires the turbulence structure to be similar during decay, may be considered as an asymptotic state of the semi-preserving development achieved in practice at a distance where $\overline{u_r u_{\phi}/ \overline(u_x u_r) \ll 1\cdot 0$.

A two-dimensional Galerkin formulation of the three-dimensional Oberbeck-Boussinesq equations is used to describe the onset of convection in an infinite rigid horizontal channel uniformly heated from below. The dependence of the critical Rayleigh number on the channel aspect ratio is determined and results are compared with those of an idealized model studied by Davies-Jones (1970). Asymptotic results are derived for both narrow and wide channels, corresponding to limits of small and large aspect ratios respectively. In the latter case the main core flow, consisting of two-dimensional rolls with axes perpendicular to the vertical walls of the channel, can be represented by the solution of an amplitude equation. Close to the walls, however, the motion remains fully three-dimensional and a reversal of the vertical flow is associated with a local subdivision of each main roll into a pair of co-rotating rolls.

We consider single-phase gases in which the fundamental derivative is negative over a finite range of pressures and temperatures and show that inadmissible discontinuities give rise to shock splitting. The precise conditions under which splitting occurs are delineated and the formation of the split-shock configuration from smooth initial conditions is described. Specific numerical examples of shock splitting are also provided through use of exact inverse solutions.

The effects of chemical heat release on the large-scale structure in a chemically reacting, turbulent mixing layer are investigated using direct numerical simulations. Three-dimensional, time-dependent simulations are performed for a binary, single-step chemical reaction occurring across a temporally developing turbulent mixing layer. It is found that moderate heat release slows the development of the large-scale structures and shifts their wavelengths to larger scales. The resulting entrainment of reactants is reduced, decreasing the overall chemical product formation rate. The simulation results are interpreted in terms of turbulence energetics, vorticity dynamics, and stability theory. The baroclinic torque and thermal expansion in the mixing layer produce changes in the flame vortex structure that result in more diffuse vortices than in the constant-density case, resulting in lower rotation rates of the large-scale structures. Previously unexplained anomalies observed in the mean velocity profiles of reacting jets and mixing layers are shown to result from vorticity generation by baroclinic torques.

Experiments were conducted to study the effects of heat release in a planar, gas-phase, reacting mixing layer formed between two free streams, one containing hydrogen in an inert diluent, the other, fluorine in an inert diluent. Sufficiently high concentrations of reactants were utilized to produce adiabatic flame temperature rises of up to 940 K (corresponding to 1240 K absolute). The temperature field was measured at eight fixed points across the layer. Flow visualization was accomplished by schlieren spark and motion picture photography. Mean velocity information was extracted from Pitot-probe dynamic pressure measurements. The results showed that the growth rate of the layer, for conditions of zero streamwise pressure gradient, decreased slightly with increasing heat release. The overall entrainment into the layer was substantially reduced as a consequence of heat release. A posteriori calculations suggest that the decrease in layer growth rate is consistent with a corresponding reduction in turbulent shear stress. Large-scale coherent structures were observed at all levels of heat release in this investigation. The mean structure spacing decreased with increasing temperature. This decrease was more than the corresponding decrease in shear-layer growth rate, and suggests that the mechanisms of vortex amalgamation are, in some manner, inhibited by heat release. The mean temperature rise profiles, normalized by the adiabatic flame temperature rise, were not greatly changed in shape over the range of heat release of this investigation. A small decrease in normalized mean temperature rise with heat release was however observed. Imposition of a favourable pressure gradient in a mixing layer with heat release resulted in an additional decrease in layer growth rate, and caused only a very slight increase in the mixing and amount of chemical product formation. The additional decrease in layer growth rate is shown to be accounted for in terms of the change in free-stream velocity ratio induced by the pressure gradient.

We present an experimental study demonstrating that rotation has a pronounced effect on currents induced by selective withdrawal of fluid from a density-stratified reservoir. Our observations show that initiating outflow from the reservoir generates Kelvin shear waves. These waves propagate cyclonically around the perimeter of the reservoir, establishing an anticyclonic withdrawal-layer flow. This flow accelerates owing to the production of relative vorticity by compression of ‘planetary’ vorticity. The withdrawal-layer thickness as shown by vertical profiles of the horizontal velocity grows with time. Separation of the side-wall boundary layers in the corners of the tank causes the spun-up flow to eventually break up into a series of counterrotating gyres. We also present a model that describes many features of the spin-up process observed before onset of separation and subsequent gyre formation. The model shows that vertical diffusion of vorticity plays an important role in the spin up process, leading us to conclude that apparent thickening of the withdrawal layer over time, as seen in changes in the velocity profile, is associated with the vertical diffusion of the spun-up vorticity.

The laminar-turbulent transition process in a parallel boundary-layer with Blasius profile is simulated by numerical integration of the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using a spectral method. The model of spatially periodic disturbances developing in time is used. Both the classical Klebanoff-type and the subharmonic type of transition are simulated. Maps of the three-dimensional velocity and vorticity fields and visualizations by integrated fluid markers are obtained. The numerical results are compared with experimental measurements and flow visualizations by other authors. Good qualitative and quantitative agreement is found at corresponding stages of development up to the one-spike stage. After the appearance of two-dimensional Tollmien-Schlichting waves of sufficiently large amplitude an increasing three-dimensionality is observed. In particular, a peak-valley structure of the velocity fluctuations, mean longitudinal vortices and sharp spike-like instantaneous velocity signals are formed. The flow field is dominated by a three-dimensional horseshoe vortex system connected with free high-shear layers. Visualizations by time-lines show the formation of A-structures. Our numerical results connect various observations obtained with different experimental techniques. The initial three-dimensional steps of the transition process are consistent with the linear theory of secondary instability. In the later stages nonlinear interactions of the disturbance modes and the production of higher harmonics are essential.

We also study the control of transition by local two-dimensional suction and blowing at the wall. It is shown that transition can be delayed or accelerated by superposing disturbances which are out of phase or in phase with oncoming Tollmien-Schlichting instability waves, respectively. Control is only effective if applied at an early, two-dimensional stage of transition. Mean longitudinal vortices remain even after successful control of the fluctuations.

A better understanding of the transition process in open flows can be obtained through identification of the possible asymptotic response states in the flow. In the present work, the asymptotic states in laminar wakes behind circular cylinders at low supercritical Reynolds numbers are investigated. Direct numerical simulation of the flow is performed, using spectral-element techniques. Naturally produced wakes, and periodically forced wakes are considered separately.

It is shown that, in the absence of external forcing, a periodic state is obtained, the frequency of which is selected by the absolute instability of the time-average flow. The non-dimensional frequency of the vortex street (Strouhal number) is a continuous function of the Reynolds number. In periodically forced wakes, however, non-periodic states are also possible, resulting from the bifurcation of the natural periodic state. The response of forced wakes can be characterized as: (i) lock-in, if the dominant frequency in the wake equals the excitation frequency, or (ii) non-lock-in, when the dominant frequency in the wake equals the Strouhal frequency. Both types of response can be periodic or quasi-periodic, depending on the combination of the amplitude and frequency of the forcing. At the boundary separating the two types of response transitional states develop, which are found to exhibit a low-order chaotic behaviour. Finally, all states resulting from the bifurcation of the natural state can be represented in a two-parameter space inside ‘resonant horn’ type of regions.

Parametrically excited surface wave modes on a fluid layer driven by vertical forcing can interact with each other when more than one spatial mode is excited. We have investigated the dynamics of the interaction of two modes that are degenerate in a square layer, but non-degenerate in a rectangular one. Novel experimental techniques were developed for this purpose, including the real-time measurement of all relevant slowly varying mode amplitudes, investigation of the phase-space structure by means of transient studies starting from a variety of initial conditions, and automated determination of stability boundaries as a function of driving amplitude and frequency. These methods allowed both stable and unstable fixed points (sinks, sources, and saddles) to be determined, and the nature of the bifurcation sequences to be clearly established. In most of the dynamical regimes, multiple attractors and repellers (up to 16) were found, including both pure and mixed modes. We found that the symmetry of the fluid cell has dramatic effects on the dynamics. The fully degenerate case (square cell) yields no time-dependent patterns, and is qualitatively understood in terms of third-order amplitude equations whose basic structure follows from symmetry arguments. In a slightly rectangular cell, where the two modes are separated in frequency by a small amount (about 1%), mode competition produces both periodic and chaotic states organized around unstable pure and mixed-state fixed points.

Surface waves in a nearly square container subjected to vertical oscillations are studied. The theoretical results are based on the analysis of a derived set of normal form equations, which represent perturbations of systems with 1:1 internal resonance and with D4 symmetry. Bifurcation analysis of these equations shows that the system is capable of periodic and quasi-periodic standing as well as travelling waves. The analysis also identifies parameter values at which chaotic behaviour is to be expected. The theoretical results are verified with the aid of some experiments.

The onset of thermal convection in a double layer of two superimposed immiscible fluids heated from below is investigated. The linearized equations of the problem are analysed in a much wider region of the parameter space than has been studied before. It is shown that the onset of steady convection in the two layers may occur in the form of either viscously or thermally coupled motions. In addition to the oscillatory interfacial instability, which depends on a non-vanishing distortion of the interface, there exists another oscillatory instability which corresponds to a cyclic variation between viscous and thermal coupling. Conditions for the onset of this instability are outlined and its connections with the other modes of the system are demonstrated in bifurcation diagrams. In the experiments the shadowgraph method is used for the visualization of the onset of convection and for the measurement of its wavelength. Changeovers between viscous and thermal coupling can be identified, but the experimental realization of an oscillatory onset has been elusive so far.