We explore the dynamics of inclined temporal gravity currents using direct numerical simulation, and find that the current creates an environment in which the flux Richardson number $\mathit{Ri}_{f}$ , gradient Richardson number $\mathit{Ri}_{g}$ and turbulent flux coefficient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ are constant across a large portion of the depth. Changing the slope angle $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ modifies these mixing parameters, and the flow approaches a maximum Richardson number $\mathit{Ri}_{max}\approx 0.15$ as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\rightarrow 0$ at which the entrainment coefficient $E\rightarrow 0$ . The turbulent Prandtl number remains $O(1)$ for all slope angles, demonstrating that $E\rightarrow 0$ is not caused by a switch-off of the turbulent buoyancy flux as conjectured by Ellison (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 2, 1957, pp. 456–466). Instead, $E\rightarrow 0$ occurs as the result of the turbulence intensity going to zero as $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\rightarrow 0$ , due to the flow requiring larger and larger shear to maintain the same level of turbulence. We develop an approximate model valid for small $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ which is able to predict accurately $\mathit{Ri}_{f}$ , $\mathit{Ri}_{g}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ as a function of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ and their maximum attainable values. The model predicts an entrainment law of the form $E=0.31(\mathit{Ri}_{max}-\mathit{Ri})$ , which is in good agreement with the simulation data. The simulations and model presented here contribute to a growing body of evidence that an approach to a marginally or critically stable, relatively weakly stratified equilibrium for stratified shear flows may well be a generic property of turbulent stratified flows.

The flow instability and further transition to turbulence in a toroidal pipe (torus) with curvature ratio (tube-to-coiling diameter) 0.049 is investigated experimentally. The flow inside the toroidal pipe is driven by a steel sphere fitted to the inner pipe diameter. The sphere is moved with constant azimuthal velocity from outside the torus by a moving magnet. The experiment is designed to investigate curved pipe flow by optical measurement techniques. Using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry, laser Doppler velocimetry and pressure drop measurements, the flow is measured for Reynolds numbers ranging from 1000 to 15 000. Time- and space-resolved velocity fields are obtained and analysed. The steady axisymmetric basic flow is strongly influenced by centrifugal effects. On an increase of the Reynolds number we find a sequence of bifurcations. For $\mathit{Re}= 4075\pm 2\hspace{0.167em} \% $ a supercritical bifurcation to an oscillatory flow is found in which waves travel in the streamwise direction with a phase velocity slightly faster than the mean flow. The oscillatory flow is superseded by a presumably quasi-periodic flow at a further increase of the Reynolds number before turbulence sets in. The results are found to be compatible, in general, with earlier experimental and numerical investigations on transition to turbulence in helical and curved pipes. However, important aspects of the bifurcation scenario differ considerably.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, July 29 – August 2, 2012.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, August 5 – August 9, 2007