Rms Velocity Fluctuations Research Articles

Experimental assessment of the gap width effect on turbulent flow and forced convective heat transfer around a single rod suspended in a channel

The present work presents the experimental campaign carried out to assess the convective heat transfer around a single rod suspended in a rectangular channel under axial turbulent flow. The distance between the rod and the upper wall of the channel forms a rod-wall gap, whose width, d, can be varied. The experiments were performed for the dimensionless gap widths that yield W/D = 1.050, 1.100, 1.150 and 1.200. Hot-wire anemometry was used to measure mean velocities, the RMS velocity fluctuations and the velocity spectra. The rod is equipped with a heated cell that provides the local temperature and convective heat transfer coefficient distributions around the rod’s surface. The local convective heat transfer distribution is in good agreement with the literature. The lowest value for the heat transfer coefficient was not found right in the narrow gap for W/D = 1.050, but, slightly away from the gap. As W/D increases, the minimum local convective heat transfer coefficient occurred closer to the narrowest gap width. The Reynolds-Colburn analogy was investigated for all configurations through the measured convective heat transfer coefficient and the skin friction distributions. A linear relationship was found between the Stanton number and the skin friction coefficient. Moreover, data scattering was seen to decrease significantly when the local velocity was used instead of the global one. It suggests that the heat transfer process is governed, mainly, by the local parameters.

Small-scale lithospheric heterogeneity characterization using Bayesian inference and energy flux models

SUMMARYObservations from different disciplines have shown that our planet is highly heterogeneous at multiple scale lengths. Still, many seismological Earth models tend not to include any small-scale heterogeneity or lateral velocity variations, which can affect measurements and predictions based on these homogeneous models. In this study, we describe the lithospheric small-scale isotropic heterogeneity structure in terms of the intrinsic, diffusion and scattering quality factors, as well as an autocorrelation function, associated with a characteristic scale length (a) and RMS fractional velocity fluctuations (ε). To obtain this characterization, we combined a single-layer and a multilayer energy flux models with a new Bayesian inference algorithm. Our synthetic tests show that this technique can successfully retrieve the input parameter values for 1- or 2-layer models and that our Bayesian algorithm can resolve whether the data can be fitted by a single set of parameters or a range of models is required instead, even for very complex posterior probability distributions. We applied this technique to three seismic arrays in Australia: Alice Springs array (ASAR), Warramunga Array (WRA) and Pilbara Seismic Array (PSAR). Our single-layer model results suggest intrinsic and diffusion attenuation are strongest for ASAR, while scattering and total attenuation are similarly strong for ASAR and WRA. All quality factors take higher values for PSAR than for the other two arrays, implying that the structure beneath this array is less attenuating and heterogeneous than for ASAR or WRA. The multilayer model results show the crust is more heterogeneous than the lithospheric mantle for all arrays. Crustal correlation lengths and RMS velocity fluctuations for these arrays range from ∼0.2 to 1.5 km and ∼2.3 to 3.9 per cent, respectively. Parameter values for the upper mantle are not unique, with combinations of low values of the parameters (a < 2 km and ε < ∼2.5 per cent) being as likely as those with high correlation length and velocity variations (a > 5 km and ε > ∼2.5 per cent, respectively). We attribute the similarities in the attenuation and heterogeneity structure beneath ASAR and WRA to their location on the proterozoic North Australian Craton, as opposed to PSAR, which lies on the archaean West Australian Craton. Differences in the small-scale structure beneath ASAR and WRA can be ascribed to the different tectonic histories of these two regions of the same craton. Overall, our results highlight the suitability of the combination of an energy flux model and a Bayesian inference algorithm for future scattering and small-scale heterogeneity studies, since our approach allows us to obtain and compare the different quality factors, while also giving us detailed information about the trade-offs and uncertainties in the determination of the scattering parameters.

Investigations of Gas–Particle Two-Phase Flow in Swirling Combustor by the Particle Stokes Numbers

Gas turbulence modulations and particle dispersions of swirling gas–particle two-phase flow in the combustor is investigated under the large spans of the particle Stokes numbers. To fully consider the preferential concentrations and anisotropic dispersions of a particle, a kinetic frictional stress model coupled with a second-order moment two-phase turbulent model and granular temperature equation is improved. The proposed modeling and simulations are in good agreement with the experimental validations. Results show turbulent modulations and particle dispersions exhibit strongly anisotropic characteristics, keeping a close relationship with flow structure. The axial gas velocity and RMS fluctuation velocity of 45.0-μm EGP was approximately 5.0 times and 3.0 times greater than 1000.0 μm Copper particles, and their axial particle velocity was 0.25 times and twice greater than those of 45.0 μm EGP. The degree of modulation in the axial–radial direction is larger than those of radial–tangential and axial–tangential direction. Particle dispersions are sensitive to particle diameter parameters and intensified by higher Stokes number.

Experimental study of flow characteristics of an oblique impinging jet

An experimental study has been performed by using particle image velocimetry to investigate the effect of nozzle-to-plate separation distance (L) and jet impingement angle on the flow characteristics of an obliquely inclined submerged water jet. Measurements were taken for L = 1D, 2D, 4D and 6D (where D is the diameter of the nozzle) for the jet impingement angle (θ) of 45° and 26°, and the flow characteristics in the uphill and the downhill regions are investigated at Reynolds number of 2600 (based on the nozzle diameter D and the jet velocity $$U_{{\text{o}}}$$). It is observed that surface spacing has an opposite effect in the uphill and the downhill regions in terms of wall jet flow. In the uphill region, the tendency of the wall jet to grow increases with increase in L/D. However, in the downhill region, the jet velocity and its thickness are observed to reduce as the separation distance is increased. The distance between the stagnation point and the geometric centre is observed to decrease with increase in L/D because of jet–ambient fluid interaction in the uphill region. The jet width is observed to grow for θ = 45° in the downstream of the plate due to enhanced jet–ambient fluid interaction. Flow at θ = 26° shows that after impingement the entire jet deviates towards the downhill side, which indicates the existence of a critical impingement angle below which there is no flow of the jet in the uphill region. RMS velocity fluctuations and shear stress show an increased turbulence level downstream of the plate in the downhill region for smaller impinging distance implying higher jet–ambient fluid interaction and increased jet width. They, along with the negative turbulence production term, reveal the region of flow separation and reattachment. The decrease in the peak value of Nusselt number can be related to the drop in the jet momentum at the stagnation point with increase in the surface spacing.

Experimental investigation of interactions between turbulent cylinder wake and spherical shock wave

Interactions between a spherical shock wave and a turbulent cylinder wake are studied with wind tunnel experiments. The shock wave is generated outside the wake and propagates across the turbulent wake. Instantaneous streamwise velocity is measured on the wake centerline while peak overpressure of the shock wave is measured outside the wake after the shock wave has passed across the wake. The experiments are performed for various conditions of the cylinder wake to investigate the influences of the root-mean-squared (rms) velocity fluctuation and of the length of the turbulent region through which the shock wave propagates. The velocity fluctuation opposite to the shock propagation direction is positively correlated with the peak-overpressure fluctuation. The mean peak overpressure decreases after the shock wave propagates in the wake. These relations between velocity and peak overpressure are explained by the shock-surface deformation, where the peak overpressure is increased and decreased, respectively, for the shock surfaces with concave and convex shapes in relation to the shock propagation direction. The correlation coefficients between the velocity and peak-overpressure fluctuations and the rms peak-overpressure fluctuation increase with the rms velocity fluctuation. The rms peak-overpressure fluctuation becomes independent of the turbulent length on the shock ray once the shock wave has propagated through a sufficiently long turbulent region. The peak-overpressure fluctuation has a probability density function (PDF) close to a Gaussian shape even though the PDF of velocity fluctuations in the wake is negatively skewed.

Flow field evolution and entrainment in a free surface plunging jet

We investigate ambient fluid entrainment and near-field flow characteristics of a free surface plunging jet for five Reynolds numbers ranging from 3000 to 10000 using time-resolved stereo particle image velocimetry (SPIV). We present time-averaged velocities, RMS velocity fluctuations, mean entrainment and unsteady flow features and compare them with previous studies on free jets. We find that plunging jets have a smaller potential core length, and earlier decay of the mean centerline velocity. The peak RMS velocity fluctuations occur at a location significantly upstream compared to the free jets reported in the literature. Near-field ambient fluid entrainment of plunging jets is measured for the first time and is found to be considerably higher than free jets in the low Reynolds number range. For the plunging jet case at Re = 3000, faster jet decay, higher levels of turbulent intensity in the near-field, and augmented mass entrainment result from strong primary vortices that give the turbulent/non-turbulent interface (TNTI) its convoluted shape which facilitates both bulk entrapment of ambient fluid and small scale nibbling because of larger surface area. These primary vortices occur right below the free surface and disintegrate into secondary structures at axial locations that are upstream compared to those of free jets. At higher Reynolds numbers, primary vortices are smaller in size, weak in swirling strength, and disintegrate prematurely, resulting in suppressed mixing and reduced entrainment efficiency.

RANS and hybrid LES/RANS simulations of flow over a square cylinder

Unsteady RANS (URANS), hybrid LES/RANS and IDDES simulations were conducted to numerically investigate the velocity field around, and pressures distribution and forces over a square cylinder immersed in a uniform, steady oncoming flow with Reynolds number Re = 21,400. The vortex shedding responses in terms of Strouhal number, the pressure distribution, the velocity profile and the velocity fluctuations obtained by numerical simulations are compared with experimental data. Compared with 2D URANS simulation, 3D simulations using hybrid LES/RANS and IDDES models provide more accurate prediction on the responses in the wake, including mean streamwise velocity profile and rms velocity fluctuations. This also results in more accurate prediction of time-averaged surface pressure coefficient on the rear surface obtained by 3D hybrid LES/RANS and IDDES simulations than by URANS simulation. When a hybrid LES/RANS model or IDDES model is used, a more accurate prediction for either pressure coefficient or velocity profile (especially in the far wake region) is not guaranteed by increasing the mesh resolution along the spanwise direction of the square cylinder.

Statistical properties of spherical shock waves propagating through grid turbulence, turbulent cylinder wake, and laminar flow

Wind tunnel experiments are reported for a spherical shock wave propagating through turbulent wakes of a single cylinder, double cylinders, grid-turbulence, and a laminar flow, whose influences on the shock wave are compared. Overpressure behind the shock wave is measured on a plate while streamwise velocity is measured at the flow point between the measurement plate and the location of the shock wave ejection. Average of peak-overpressure observed upon arrival of the shock wave is decreased by the mean velocity defect of the cylinder wake. Root mean squared (rms) peak-overpressure fluctuation divided by the averaged peak-overpressure is increased by turbulence, and it becomes larger with the rms velocity fluctuation. Correlation coefficients are calculated between fluctuations of peak-overpressure and low-pass filtered fluid velocity. The strong positive correlation is found for the fluid at the location where the shock ray toward the pressure measurement point passes. The length scale of velocity fluctuation with the strong correlation is related to the integral length scale of turbulence. In the double-cylinder wake experiments, the shock wave that has passed one cylinder wake interacts again with another cylinder wake before it reaches the measurement plate. The correlation coefficient for the velocity fluctuation of the first wake is weakened by the second wake, and this influence becomes more important when the rms velocity fluctuation of the second wake is larger.

Investigation of turbulence model selection on the predicted flow behaviour in an industrial crystalliser — RANS and URANS approaches

An understanding of the flow behaviour in industrial crystallisers is critical to addressing mechanical design considerations such as impeller selection and off-bottom solids suspension. In the current study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models were used to predict the flow field in a laboratory-scale alumina precipitator, with the objective of understanding which turbulence model can predict the time-averaged flow field in the vessel using the most efficient computational approach. The study focusses on RANS and URANS approaches using the k-ε, RNG k-ε, SST, SSG Reynolds Stress and explicit algebraic Reynolds Stress models (EARSM), with the predictions compared with high quality Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) data from a laboratory-scale vessel. The best agreement with experimental data is achieved using the k-ε and k-ε EARSM models, with all other models either under or over-predicting the reattachment height of the flow in the annulus between the draft tube and the outer vessel wall. Of the models tested, the k-ε EARSM model is also found to give the best predictions of the RMS velocity fluctuations in the vessel. The use of turbulence production limiters, such as Kato-Launder, in conjunction with the k-ε model is found to result in worse agreement with the experimental data. The SST model significantly over-predicts the reattachment height and it is found that the high eddy viscosity generated in the separating shear layers exiting the draft tube, together with the recirculated turbulence in this geometry, suppresses the correct behaviour of the SST blending functions. The Reattachment Modification to the SST model is found to reduce the reattachment height, but the results still show significant deviation from the experimental data.

The kinematics of boundary layer transition on a long circular cylinder impinged by a fully turbulent round jet

We experimentally examine the impingement of a fully turbulent round jet (with diameter Dj) on a long circular cylinder (with diameter D) in the crossflow plane coinciding with the jet axis for D/Dj = 2.5 and ReDj = 20,000. Particular focus is placed on the kinematics of boundary layer transition that occurs and subsequently leads to a second thermal peak on the cylinder surface downstream of the primary thermal peak near the stagnation point when placed inside the jet’s potential core. To this end, spectral analyses of wall shear stress data and time-resolved velocity data within both laminar and turbulent boundary layers have been performed. The present study demonstrates that the root mean square (rms) fluctuation of the stream-wise velocity component increases along both boundary layers due to the propagation of external perturbations from coherent structures that are shed from the jet exit, which incites the transition of the laminar boundary layer. The transition causes the local heat transfer elevation that interrupts the monotonic decrease from the primary thermal peak whereas it plays no direct part in forming the second thermal peak. Instead, the second thermal peak occurs at a delayed downstream azimuth angle from the transition where the rms velocity fluctuations of the boundary layer flow reach their peak at the dominant frequency, equivalent to that of the coherent structures of the jet.

Zonal Hybrid Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes/Large-Eddy Simulation of a Hydrogen-Fueled Scramjet Combustor

A zonal hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large-eddy simulation framework is implemented to investigate the diffusion combustion of hydrogen–air in a model scramjet combustor. The computational domain is segregated into Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and large-eddy simulation regions. An upwind convective flux discretization method and shear-stress transport turbulence models are applied to the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes region, and the low-dissipative convective flux discretization method and improved delayed detached-eddy simulation are applied to the large-eddy simulation region. To generate turbulence at the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large-eddy simulation interface, a synthetic-eddy method is employed. The geometries and boundary conditions of the model scramjet combustor are based on an experiment conducted at German Aerospace Center. The turbulent hydrogen diffusion flame is modeled using the steady flamelet approach. A total of nine computation cases are examined to analyze the influence of the numerical methods. As a result, the zonal hybrid method using the low-dissipative convective flux discretization method and synthetic-eddy method shows the best agreement with the experimental data in terms of quantitative temperature and rms velocity fluctuation profiles.

POD-Galerkin reduced-order model for viscoelastic turbulent channel flow

ABSTRACTIn this work, with elasticity governed by the Giesekus constitutive equation, a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) reduced-order model of viscoelastic turbulent channel flow is established for the first time. The established reduced-order model is based on small sets of basis functions from the POD of the sampling data obtained by direct numerical simulation (DNS) for the studied flow. The POD reduced-order model is tested on cases with that are different from the samplings for viscoelastic turbulent channel flow. The results show that the errors for root-mean-square (rms) velocity fluctuations are significant at the top and bottom walls. It is found that each basis function plays an important role in describing the studied turbulence which makes it unmanageable to obtain accurate velocity field (including mean velocity and velocity fluctuations) through solving the reduced-order model. It is of necessity to take all the basis functions into consideration to depict the flows more accurately. However, the mean velocity obtained from the reduced-order model is of high precision, which states that the POD-based reduced-order model is a potential approach to obtain an accurate mean velocity field for viscoelastic turbulent flow, which has great significance in academic study as well as engineering. The calculation speed of the established reduced-order model is much faster than that of DNS, which indicates that the POD is a highly efficient way of obtaining the statistic characteristics, such as mean velocity in turbulent channel flow.

On the use of finite mixtures to improve the physical interpretation of a ground vortex flow

Laser-Doppler measurements of the velocity characteristics of a ground vortex flow resulting from the collision of a wall jet with a boundary layer are analyzed using advanced statistical tools, namely finite mixtures of probability density functions. These are determined by the best fitting to experimental results using a Bayesian approach based on a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm. This approach takes into account eventual multimodality and heterogeneities in velocity field distributions. Therefore, it provides a more complete information about heterogeneous velocity distributions and its corresponding characteristic velocities and turbulent fluctuations. The ground vortex flow investigated is generated by a wall jet-to-boundary layer velocity ratio of 2. The results evidence how finite mixtures are able to reconstruct the measured probability distribution in the form of a mathematical probability density function. This allows to improve the physical interpretation of the ground vortex flow through quantifying its complex structure, which is particularly relevant to VSTOL aircraft flows. Namely, identify the separation point oscillation region, and the enlargement of the region comprising the effect of collision between wall jet and boundary layer in planes moving away from the wall. Also, in the collision zone, following a conventional statistical analysis, the rms velocity fluctuation (u′) appears to be overestimated for the horizontal component due to the measured velocity range oscillating between positive and negative values. The results evidence how U‾ and u′ provide an idea of the flow dynamics, but their use is limited and an important amount of information associated with the highly curved flow complexity is lost. This prevents distinguish the magnitude of velocity fluctuations according to the flow direction, and the endorsement of anisotropy near the collision region, justifying the possibility of being numerically simulated.

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of particle-laden turbulent channel flow

Modulation of the carrier phase turbulence by finite-size solid particles is relevant to many industrial and environmental applications. Here we report particle-resolved simulations of a turbulent channel flow laden with finite-size solid particles. We discuss how the mesoscopic lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) can be applied to treat both the turbulent carrier flow and moving fluid-particle interfaces. To validate the LBM approach, we first simulate the single-phase turbulent channel flow at a frictional Reynolds number of 180. A non-uniform force field is designed to excite turbulent fluctuations. The resulting mean flow profiles and turbulence statistics were found to be in excellent agreement with the published data based on the Chebychev-spectral method. We also found that the statistics of the fully-developed turbulent channel flow are independent of the setting of some of the relaxation parameters in the LBM approach. We then consider a particle-laden turbulent channel flow under the same body force. The particles have the same density as the fluid. The particle diameter is 5% of the channel width and the average volume fraction is 7.09%. We found that the presence of the particles reduces the mean flow speed by 4.6%, implying that the fluid-particle system is more dissipative than the single-phase flow. The maximum local reduction of the mean flow speed is about 7.5%. The effects of the solid particles on the fluid rms velocity fluctuations are mixed: both reduction and augmentation are observed depending on the direction and spatial location relative to the channel walls. Overall, particles enhance the relative turbulence intensity in the near wall region and suppress the turbulence intensity in the center region. The particle concentration distribution across the channel is also complicated. We find that there is a dynamic equilibrium location resembling the Segŕe–Silberberg effect known for a laminar wall-bounded flows. Our LBM results were found to be in good agreement with results based on a finite-difference method with direct forcing to handle the moving solid particles. Additionally, phase-partitioned statistics are obtained and compared.

Heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of impinging jet using combined device with triangular tabs and synthetic jets

The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of an impinging jet with a combined active–passive device were investigated. The combined device consisted of triangular tabs and a synthetic jet array that provided periodic disturbance to the jet’s shear layer. The Reynolds number based on the nozzle diameter (D) was 3.9×104, and the nozzle-to-wall spacing (L/D) was 2. Four triangular tabs were attached to the nozzle outlet. The synthetic jets were issued at an angle of 30° against the primary jet. Under the triangular tab operation, the longitudinal vortices were generated and the transverse vortex of the primary jet collapsed. Moreover, the velocity of the primary jet increased because of contracted flow. Under the synthetic jet operation, the development of the transverse vortex was promoted due to the increased instability of the shear layer. The jet’s periodic disturbances strengthened because of the use of synthetic jets. The combined device operation led to increased velocity magnitude and periodic disturbance of the primary jet; thus, the peak RMS value of the velocity fluctuation was enhanced and the peak local Nusselt number near the stagnation point increased by 35% compared with cases where the device was not used. Additionally, the area-averaged Nusselt number was 10% larger than that obtained without the device. The heat transfer was governed by the jet’s velocity, RMS, and periodic velocity fluctuation. These results indicate that the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of an impinging jet could be controlled by optimizing the actuation conditions of the combined active–passive device.

LOCAL VELOCITY PROFILES MEASURED BY PIV IN AN VESSEL AGITATED BY RUSHTON TURBINE

<p>The hydrodynamics and flow field were measured in an agitated vessel using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (2-D TR PIV). The experiments were carried out in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 300 mm in inner diameter. The tank was agitated by a Rushton turbine 100 mm in diameter. The velocity fields were measured for three impeller rotation speeds 300 rpm, 450 rpm and 600 rpm and the corresponding Reynolds numbers in the range 50 000 < Re < 100 000, which means that the fully-developed turbulent flow was reached. In accordance with the theory of mixing, the dimensionless mean and fluctuation velocities in the measured directions were found to be constant and independent of the impeller rotational speed. The velocity profiles were averaged, and were expressed by Chebyshev polynomials of the 1<sup>st</sup> order. Although the experimentally investigated area was relatively far from the impeller, and it was located in upward flow to the impeller, no state of local isotropy was found. The ratio of the axial rms fluctuation velocity to the radial component was found to be in the range from 0.523 to 0.768. The axial turbulence intensity was found to be in the range from 0.293 to 0.667, which corresponds to a high turbulence intensity.</p>

Large eddy simulation of a premixed propane turbulent bluff body flame using the Eulerian stochastic field method

A premixed propane/air flame stabilized on a triangular bluff body was studied by numerical simulation as a simplified model of many practical propulsion and power generation systems. The sub-grid scale (sgs) probability density function (pdf) approach in conjunction with the stochastic fields solution method is used to account for sgs turbulence–chemistry interactions; a skeleton chemistry mechanism with 4 reaction steps and 7 species was used to describe the propane–air reaction. Three cases, one non-reacting and two reacting were studied. The instantaneous flow pattern and CO concentration are discussed and the averaged velocity and temperature, the RMS velocity and temperature fluctuations and averaged CO mass fraction profiles are compared with the experimental data. The simulations show very good agreement with the experimental data demonstrating the capability of the LES method coupled with the sgs-pdf method in representing premixed combustion in complex flame configurations.

THEORY AND SIMULATIONS OF ROTATING CONVECTION

We study thermal convection in a rotating fluid in order to better understand the properties of convection zones in rotating stars and planets. We first derive mixing-length theory for rapidly-rotating convection, arriving at the results of Stevenson (1979) via simple physical arguments. The theory predicts the properties of convection as a function of the imposed heat flux and rotation rate, independent of microscopic diffusivities. In particular, it predicts the mean temperature gradient; the rms velocity and temperature fluctuations; and the size of the eddies that dominate heat transport. We test all of these predictions with high resolution three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of Boussinesq convection in a Cartesian box. The results agree remarkably well with the theory across more than two orders of magnitude in rotation rate. For example, the temperature gradient is predicted to scale as the rotation rate to the 4/5th power at fixed flux, and the simulations yield $0.75\pm 0.06$. We conclude that the mixing length theory is a solid foundation for understanding the properties of convection zones in rotating stars and planets.

Waves and turbulence in katabatic winds

The measurements taken during the Vertical Transport and Mixing Experiment (VTMX, October, 2000) on a northeastern slope of Salt Lake Valley, Utah, were used to calculate the statistics of velocity fluctuations in a katabatic gravity current in the absence of synoptic forcing. The data from ultrasonic anemometer-thermometers placed at elevations 4.5 and 13.9 m were used. The contributions of small-scale turbulence and waves were isolated by applying a high-pass digital (Elliptical) filter, whereupon the filtered quantities were identified as small-scale turbulence and the rest as internal gravity waves. Internal waves were found to play a role not only at canonical large gradient Richardson numbers $$(\overline{\hbox {Ri}_\mathrm{g} } >1)$$ , but sometimes at smaller values $$(0.1 < \overline{\hbox {Ri}_\mathrm{g}}<1)$$ , in contrast to typical observations in flat-terrain stable boundary layers. This may be attributed, at least partly, to (critical) internal waves on the slope, identified by Princevac et al. [1], which degenerate into turbulence and help maintain an active internal wave field. The applicability of both Monin-Obukhov (MO) similarity theory and local scaling to filtered and unfiltered data was tested by analyzing rms velocity fluctuations as a function of the stability parameter z/L, where L is the Obukhov length and z the height above the ground. For weaker stabilities, $$\hbox {z/L}<1$$ , the MO similarity and local scaling were valid for both filtered and unfiltered data. Conversely, when $$\hbox {z/L}>1$$ , the use of both scaling types is questionable, although filtered data showed a tendency to follow local scaling. A relationship between z/L and $$\overline{\hbox {Ri}_\mathrm{g} }$$ was identified. Eddy diffusivities of momentum $$\hbox {K}_\mathrm{M}$$ and heat $$\hbox {K}_\mathrm{H}$$ were dependent on wave activities, notably when $$\overline{\hbox {Ri}_\mathrm{g} } > 1$$ . The ratio $$\hbox {K}_{\mathrm{H}}/\hbox {K}_{\mathrm{M}}$$ dropped well below unity at high $$\overline{\hbox {Ri}_\mathrm{g} }$$ , in consonance with previous laboratory stratified shear layer measurements as well as other field observations.

Circular cylinders fitted with small-scale straight and helical wires: A comparative study on the wire-induced critical effects

An experimental investigation is carried out to compare critical flow effects induced by a single straight wire and a system of three-start helical wires, protruding from the surface of a circular cylinder in uniform cross flow. The cinema technique of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is employed. The Reynolds number is 10,000 and the diameter of the wires is 1.2% of the diameter of the cylinder. This size wire is a small-scale wire on the basis of a comparison with the boundary-layer thickness forming around a smooth cylinder. The cylinder fitted with the single straight wire was tested for the specific case when the wire is at θ=60° on the cylinder surface. This is a critical location, where the spanwise wire yields: (i) the greatest extension in the time-averaged near-wake bubble, (ii) a bistable instability in the shear layer separating at the wire, and (iii) early onset of shear-layer instability on the wire-side shear layer. Spectral analysis shows that spanwise application of this wire on the cylinder at the critical location exerts no significant influence on the strength and coherence of the Karman instability. As for the cylinder-helical wire model, the three wires were arranged to pass, in the plane of visualization, from the critical angle and the base of the cylinder (i.e., θ=+60°, −60° and 180°). Distinct similarities are identified in the flow structure induced by the single spanwise wire and the helical wires in the plane where the wire(s) is/are at the critical location (θ=±60°). Similar to the same-size spanwise wire, the helical wires under consideration do not alter the coherence of the Karman instability; however, while passing from the critical angle, they induce several intriguing effects to the shear layer and the overall near-wake structure. In the plane where the helical wires pass from the critical location: (i) a bistable phenomenon develops in the shear layer, (ii) significant extension in the near-wake is accompanied by a reduction in the peak levels of Reynolds stress and rms velocity fluctuations, and (iii) the onset of shear-layer instability advances to upstream locations.