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Numerical simulation on evolution of subharmonic low-speed streaks in minimal channel turbulent flow

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Abstract

The evolution of low-speed streaks in the turbulent boundary layer of the minimum channel flow unit at a low Reynolds number is simulated by the direct numerical simulation (DNS) based on the standard Fourier-Chebyshev spectral method. The subharmonic sinuous (SS) mode for two spanwise-aligned low-speed streaks is excited by imposing the initial perturbations. The possibilities and the physical realities of the turbulent sustaining in the minimal channel unit are examined. Based on such a flow field environment, the evolution of the low-speed streaks during a cycle of turbulent sustaining, including lift-up, oscillation, and breakdown, is investigated. The development of streamwise vortices and the dynamics of vortex structures are examined. The results show that the vortices generated from the same streak are staggered along the streamwise direction, while the vortices induced by different streaks tilt toward the normal direction due to the mutual induction effect. It is the spatial variations of the streamwise vortices that cause the lift-up of the streaks. By resolving the transport dynamics of enstrophy, the strength of the vortices is found to continuously grow in the logarithmic layer through the vortex stretching mechanism during the evolution of streaks. The enhancement of the vortices contributes to the spanwise oscillation and the following breakdown of the low-speed streaks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Transient Physics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, P. R. China

    Jian Li  (李 健) & Gang Dong  (董 刚)

Authors
  1. Jian Li  (李 健)
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  2. Gang Dong  (董 刚)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gang Dong  (董 刚).

Additional information

Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11202102), the Innovation Project for College Graduates of Jiangsu Province (No.CXZZ13 0189), and the Specialized Research Fund for Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (No. 20123219120050)

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Li, J., Dong, G. Numerical simulation on evolution of subharmonic low-speed streaks in minimal channel turbulent flow. Appl. Math. Mech.-Engl. Ed. 34, 1069–1082 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10483-013-1728-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10483-013-1728-9

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