Forced Model Equation for Turbulence

Abstract

An artificial random force is introduced into Burgers' model equation for turbulence. This forced model equation is solved numerically as an initial-value problem. Both the driving force and initial velocity field are assumed Gaussian and are generated by a white noise process. Many statistical properties of this model for turbulence are studied. By adjusting the external force, the turbulence can reach an equilibrium state. The velocity correlation function and energy spectrum are calculated for the equilibrium turbulence. It is found that the energy spectrum falls off as the inverse second power of the wavenumber. The velocity correlation function is similar to the result obtained in real turbulence experiments. With Gaussian random driving force and Gaussian initial velocity field, it is found that the velocity field remains very nearly Gaussian by comparing the fourth-order velocity correlation with the quasinormal assumption. Although the process remains very nearly Gaussian, it is found that the projection of the process on the initial white noise process becomes smaller and smaller. This is to be expected, since the dynamic system is escaping from the original random base.