1,281 research outputs found
Multiscale SOC in turbulent convection
Using data obtained in a laboratory thermal convection experiment at high
Rayleigh numbers, it is shown that the multiscaling properties of the observed
mean wind reversals are quantitatively consistent with analogous multiscaling
properties of the Bak-Tang-Wiesenfeld prototype model of self-organized
criticality in two dimensions
Logarithmically modified scaling of temperature structure functions in thermal convection
Using experimental data on thermal convection, obtained at a Rayleigh number
of 1.5 , it is shown that the temperature structure functions
, where is the absolute value of the temperature
increment over a distance , can be well represented in an intermediate range
of scales by , where the are the scaling
exponents appropriate to the passive scalar problem in hydrodynamic turbulence
and the function . Measurements are made in the
midplane of the apparatus near the sidewall, but outside the boundary layer
Derivative moments in turbulent shear flows
We propose a generalized perspective on the behavior of high-order derivative
moments in turbulent shear flows by taking account of the roles of small-scale
intermittency and mean shear, in addition to the Reynolds number. Two
asymptotic regimes are discussed with respect to shear effects. By these means,
some existing disagreements on the Reynolds number dependence of derivative
moments can be explained. That odd-order moments of transverse velocity
derivatives tend not vanish as expected from elementary scaling considerations
does not necessarily imply that small-scale anisotropy persists at all Reynolds
numbers.Comment: 11 pages, 7 Postscript figure
On the formation of cyclones and anticyclones in a rotating fluid
It is commonly observed that the columnar vortices that dominate the large scales in homogeneous, rapidly rotating turbulence are predominantly cyclonic. This has prompted us to ask how this asymmetry arises. To provide a partial answer to this we look at the process of columnar vortex formation in a rotating fluid and, in particular, we examine how a localized region of swirl (an eddy) can convert itself into a columnar structure by inertial wave propagation. We show that, when the Rossby number (Ro) is small, the vortices evolve into columnar eddies through the radiation of linear inertial waves. When the Rossby number is large, on the other hand, no such column is formed. Rather, the eddy bursts radially outward under the action of the centrifugal force. There is no asymmetry between cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies for these two regimes. However, cyclones and anticyclones behave differently in the intermediate regime of Ro~1. Here we find that the transition from columnar vortex formation to radial bursting occurs at lower values of Ro for anticyclones, with the transition for anticyclones occurring at Ro~0.5, and that for cyclones at Ro~2. Thus, in a homogeneous turbulence experiment conducted at, say, Ro=1, we would expect to see more cyclones than anticyclones. The reason for this asymmetry at Ro~1 is explained
Fluctuations of temperature gradients in turbulent thermal convection
Broad theoretical arguments are proposed to show, formally, that the
magnitude G of the temperature gradients in turbulent thermal convection at
high Rayleigh numbers obeys the same advection-diffusion equation that governs
the temperature fluctuation T, except that the velocity field in the new
equation is substantially smoothed. This smoothed field leads to a -1 scaling
of the spectrum of G in the same range of scales for which the spectral
exponent of T lies between -7/5 and -5/3. This result is confirmed by
measurements in a confined container with cryogenic helium gas as the working
fluid for Rayleigh number Ra=1.5x10^{11}. Also confirmed is the logarithmic
form of the autocorrelation function of G. The anomalous scaling of
dissipation-like quantities of T and G are identical in the inertial range,
showing that the analogy between the two fields is quite deep
Beyond scaling and locality in turbulence
An analytic perturbation theory is suggested in order to find finite-size
corrections to the scaling power laws. In the frame of this theory it is shown
that the first order finite-size correction to the scaling power laws has
following form , where
is a finite-size scale (in particular for turbulence, it can be the Kolmogorov
dissipation scale). Using data of laboratory experiments and numerical
simulations it is shown shown that a degenerate case with can
describe turbulence statistics in the near-dissipation range , where
the ordinary (power-law) scaling does not apply. For moderate Reynolds numbers
the degenerate scaling range covers almost the entire range of scales of
velocity structure functions (the log-corrections apply to finite Reynolds
number). Interplay between local and non-local regimes has been considered as a
possible hydrodynamic mechanism providing the basis for the degenerate scaling
of structure functions and extended self-similarity. These results have been
also expanded on passive scalar mixing in turbulence. Overlapping phenomenon
between local and non-local regimes and a relation between position of maximum
of the generalized energy input rate and the actual crossover scale between
these regimes are briefly discussed.Comment: extended versio
Wall-bounded turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers: Recent advances and key issues
Wall-bounded turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers have become an increasingly active area of
research in recent years. Many challenges remain in theory, scaling, physical understanding,
experimental techniques, and numerical simulations. In this paper we distill the salient advances of
recent origin, particularly those that challenge textbook orthodoxy. Some of the outstanding
questions, such as the extent of the logarithmic overlap layer, the universality or otherwise of the
principal model parameters such as the von Kármán “constant,” the parametrization of roughness
effects, and the scaling of mean flow and Reynolds stresses, are highlighted. Research avenues that
may provide answers to these questions, notably the improvement of measuring techniques and the
construction of new facilities, are identified. We also highlight aspects where differences of opinion
persist, with the expectation that this discussion might mark the beginning of their resolution
The stability and activation of the liver tyrosine oxidase system
This article does not have an abstract
- …