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Measurements of turbulence in a zero-mean-shear mixed layer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2006

Trevor J. Mcdougall
Trevor J. Mcdougall
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge Present address: Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, P.O. Box 4, Canberra 2600, ACT.
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Abstract

This paper is concerned with laboratory measurements of turbulence in a mixed layer and through a density interface, in the absence of a mean flow. The present results confirm the conclusion of Hopfinger & Toly (1976) that the turbulence in a mixed layer is not significantly affected by the slow entrainment of fluid across the bounding density interface. In a homogeneous fluid the turbulence intensity is found to be surprisingly non-uniform, even two grid mesh distances away from the grid. Velocity measurements have also been taken through a density interface (at the entraining boundary of a mixed layer) and the turbulence here varies in a manner that bears some resemblance to the theory of Hunt & Graham (1978). These velocity measurements were taken with a laser-Doppler anemometer and they were made possible by a novel experimental technique which eliminates the refractive index variations which normally occur in a turbulent, density-stratified liquid flow.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 94 , Issue 3 , 16 October 1979 , pp. 409 - 431
Copyright
© 1979 Cambridge University Press

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