Velocity-derivative skewness and two-time velocity correlations of isotropic turbulence as predicted by the LET theory

Abstract

The local-energy-transfer (LET) theory was used to calculate freely decaying turbulence for arbitrary initial conditions over a range of microscale-based Reynolds numbers 0.5 [les ] Rλ(tf) [les ] 1009, where tf is the final time of computation. The predicted skewness factor S(Rλ) agreed closely with the results of numerical simulations at low-to-moderate Reynolds numbers and followed the same general trend at larger values of Rλ. It was also found that, for Rλ(tf) [les ] 5, the LET calculation was almost indistinguishable from that of the direct-interaction approximation (DIA), with the difference between the two theories tending to zero as Rλ(tf)∞ 0.Two-time correlation and propagator (or response) functions were also obtained. Tests of their scaling behaviour suggest that, contrary to general belief, the convective sweeping of the energy-containing range is much less important than the Kolmogorov timescale in determining inertial-range behaviour. This result raises questions about the accepted explanation for the failure of the direct-interaction approximation, thus motivating a discussion about the relevance of random Galilean invariance (RGI). It is argued that, for a properly constructed ensemble of transformations to inertial frames, invariance in every realization necessarily implies RGI. It is suggested that the defects of the direct-interaction approximation can be understood in terms of a failure to renormalize the stirring forces.