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Localized layers of turbulence in stratified horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2023

J. Labarbe Open the ORCID record for J. Labarbe [Opens in a new window] ,
P. Le Gal Open the ORCID record for P. Le Gal [Opens in a new window] ,
U. Harlander Open the ORCID record for U. Harlander [Opens in a new window] ,
S. Le Dizès Open the ORCID record for S. Le Dizès [Opens in a new window]  and
B. Favier Open the ORCID record for B. Favier [Opens in a new window]
J. Labarbe*
Affiliation:
Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE, 13384 Marseille, France
P. Le Gal
Affiliation:
Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE, 13384 Marseille, France
U. Harlander
Affiliation:
Department of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, D-03046 Cottbus, Germany
S. Le Dizès
Affiliation:
Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE, 13384 Marseille, France
B. Favier
Affiliation:
Aix Marseille Univ., CNRS, Centrale Marseille, IRPHE, 13384 Marseille, France
*
†Email address for correspondence: jlabarbe@unice.fr
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Abstract

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the instability developing in horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow, when stratification extends along the vertical direction. Our study builds on the previous work that originally detected the linear instability of such a configuration, by means of experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations (Le Gal et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 907, 2021, R1). We extend this investigation beyond linear theory, investigating nonlinear regimes with direct numerical simulations. We find that the flow loses its vertical homogeneity through a secondary bifurcation, due to harmonic resonances, and describe this symmetry-breaking mechanism in the vicinity of the instability threshold. When departing from this limit, we observe a series of bursting events that break down the flow into disordered motions driven by localized shear instabilities. This intermittent dynamics leads to the coexistence of horizontal localized layers of stratified turbulence surrounded by quiescent regions of meandering waves.

JFM classification

Instability: Shear-flow instability Geophysical and Geological Flows: Internal waves Turbulent Flows: Stratified turbulence
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 963 , 25 May 2023 , A27
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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