Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-m8qmq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T10:09:59.111Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The distortion of turbulence by irrotational plane strain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

H. J. Tucker
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
A. J. Reynolds
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q.

Abstract

The experiments reported here extend those of Townsend which form the basis of his model of free turbulence. Here straining is carried to a strain ratio of 6:1, while Townsend's straining went only to 4:1. Two kinds of distorting ducts are used to produce the uniform mean strain applied to initially nearly isotropic grid turbulence.

The results differ from Townsend's in that: (i) a considerably higher degree of anisotropy is achieved, Townsend's measure of anisotropy attaining values up to 0·6, rather than the maximum of 0·42 he found; (ii) there is no evidence that an equilibrium structure is attained; and (iii) the strained turbulence rapidly becomes less anisotropic when the straining ceases.

It is found to be possible to predict the variation of the total turbulence energy using rapid-distortion theory with a correction for decay. However, the individual components cannot be accurately predicted in this way.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1968 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Batchelor, G. K. & Townsend, A. A. 1948 Decay of isotropic turbulence in the initial period. Proc. Roy. Soc. A 193, 539558.Google Scholar
Batchelor, G. K. & Proudman, I. 1954 The effect of rapid distortion of a fluid in turbulent motion Quart. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 7, 83103.Google Scholar
Grant, H. L. & Nisbet, I. C. T. 1957 The inhomogeneity of grid turbulence J. Fluid Mech. 2, 163172.Google Scholar
Grant, H. L. 1958 The large eddies of turbulent motion J. Fluid Mech. 4, 149191.Google Scholar
Lamb, H. 1932 Hydrodynamics, sixth ed. Cambridge University Press.
Macphail, D. C. 1944 Turbulence changes in contracting and distorting passages. Royal Aircraft Establishment. Aero Rept. no. 1928.Google Scholar
Ribner, H. S. & Tucker, M. 1952 Spectrum of turbulence in a contracting stream. N.A.C.A. Tech. Note 2606.Google Scholar
Taylor, G. I. 1935 Turbulence in a contracting stream. Z.a.M.M., Bd. 15, Heft 1, 9196.Google Scholar
Townsend, A. A. 1954 The uniform distortion of homogeneous turbulence Quart. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 7, 104127.Google Scholar
Townsend, A. A. 1956 The Structure of Turbulent Shear Flow. Cambridge University Press.
Tucker, H. J. 1966 Description and calibration of the McGill distorting tunnel, McGill University, Mech. Engng Res. Labs. Tech. Note 66–4.Google Scholar
Uberoi, M. S. 1956 Effect of wind-tunnel contraction on free-stream turbulence J. Aero. Sci. 23, no. 8, 754764.Google Scholar
Uberoi, M. S. 1963 Energy transfer in isotropic turbulence Phys. Fluids 6, no. 8, 10481056.Google Scholar