Showing papers in "Journal of Fluid Mechanics in 1966"

Calculations of the development of an undular bore

Abstract: If a long wave of elevation travels in shallow water it steepens and forms a bore. The bore is undular if the change in surface elevation of the wave is less than 0·28 of the original depth of water. This paper describes the growth of an undular bore from a long wave which forms a gentle transition between a uniform flow and still water. A physical account of its development is followed by the results of numerical calculations. These use finite-difference approximations to the partial differential equations of motion. The equations of motion are of the same order of approximation as is necessary to derive the solitary wave. The results are in general agreement with the available experimental measurements.

The use of a contraction to improve the isotropy of grid-generated turbulence

Abstract: It is found that when the average kinetic energies of normal velocity components in decaying, grid-generated turbulence are equilibrated by a symmetric contraction of the wind tunnel, this equality can persist downstream. A second result is further confirmation of the fact that the best power-law fit to the inverse turbulent energy during the early part of decay is near (x–x1)1·25, for both rod grids and disk grids. The Kolmogorov decay law is re-derived by a spectral method which is essentially equivalent to the original. Finally, a crude theoretical estimate of component energies in the straight duct after a weak contraction seems to support the experiments.

The mechanics of the formation region of vortices behind bluff bodies

Abstract: The characteristic lengths of the oscillating wakes of bluff bodies is discussed; in particular, those used in the universal non-dimensional frequencies proposed by Roshko (1954b) and Goldburg, Washburn & Florsheim (1965). It is concluded that these are equivalent at high Reynolds number. A closer examination leads to the conclusion that there are two simultaneous characteristic lengths; the scale of the formation region, and the width to which the free shear layers diffuse. Discussion of the mechanics of the formation region results in a physical basis for the determination of the frequency by these two characteristic lengths. The ideas developed are applied to the effects of splitter plates in the wake. The possibility of a high-Reynolds-number symmetrical formation region is suggested as an explanation of the very small lift values observed in the absence of free-stream disturbances.

Analytical and numerical studies of the structure of steady separated flows

Abstract: The viscous structure of a separated eddy is investigated for two cases of simplified geometry. In § 1, an analytical solution, based on a linearized model, is obtained for an eddy bounded by a circular streamline. This solution reveals the flow development from a completely viscous eddy at low Reynolds number to an inviscid rotational core at high Reynolds number, in the manner envisaged by Batchelor. Quantitatively, the solution shows that a significant inviscid core exists for a Reynolds number greater than 100. At low Reynolds number the vortex centre shifts in the direction of the boundary velocity until the inviscid core develops; at large Reynolds number, the inviscid vortex core is symmetric about the centre of the circle, except for the effect of the boundary-layer displacement-thickness. Special results are obtained for velocity profiles, skin-friction distribution, and total power dissipation in the eddy. In addition, results of the method of inner and outer expansions are compared with the complete solution, indicating that expansions of this type give valid results for separated eddies at Reynolds numbers greater than about 25 to 50. The validity of the linear analysis as a description of separated eddies is confirmed to a surprising degree by numerical solutions of the full Navier–Stokes equations for an eddy in a square cavity driven by a moving boundary at the top. These solutions were carried out by a relaxation procedure on a high-speed digital computer, and are described in § 2. Results are presented for Reynolds numbers from 0 to 400 in the form of contour plots of stream function, vorticity, and total pressure. At the higher values of Reynolds number, an inviscid core develops, but secondary eddies are present in the bottom corners of the square at all Reynolds numbers. Solutions of the energy equation were obtained also, and isotherms and wall heat-flux distributions are presented graphically.

The boundary-layer regime for convection in a rectangular cavity

Abstract: This paper studies the two-dimensional convective motion in a rectangular cavity, the two vertical sides of which are maintained at different temperatures. This system is studied for the special case in which the temperature difference ΔT between the two vertical walls is so large that the transfer of heat from one vertical wall to the other is achieved almost entirely by convection. Heat transfer by conduction is assumed to be of importance only in thin boundary layers adjoining the walls. For a cavity of height H, the boundary layers on the two vertical walls are found to have thickness proportional to [ell ], where [ell ]4 = κνH/γgΔT, and the condition for the boundary-layer regime to be established is that [ell ] be small compared with the width of the cavity. An approximate solution of the problem is obtained for the case of large values of the Prandtl number ν/κ, and found to be in satisfactory agreement with experimental results obtained by Elder (1965).

Internal waves of finite amplitude and permanent form

Abstract: A theory is derived for the class of long two-dimensional waves, comprising solitary and periodic cnoidal waves, that can propagate with unchanging form in heterogeneous fluids. The treatment is generalized to the extent that the waves are supposed to arise on a horizontal stream of incompressible fluid whose density and velocity are arbitrary functions of height, and the upper surface of the fluid is allowed either to be free or to be fixed in a horizontal plane. Explicit formulae for the wave properties and a general interpretation of the physical conditions for the occurrence of the waves are achieved without need to specify particular physical models; but in a later part of the paper, §4, the results are applied to three examples that have been worked out by other means and so provide checks on the present theory. These general results are also shown to accord nicely with the principle of ‘conjugate-flow pairs’ which was explained by Benjamin (1962b) with reference to swirling flows along cylindrical ducts, but which is known to apply equally well to flow systems of the kind in question here.The theory reveals certain physical peculiarities of a type of flow model often used in theoretical studies of internal-wave phenomena, being specified so as to make the equation for the stream-function linear. In an appendix, some observations are also made regarding the ‘Boussinesq approximation’, which too is often used as a simplifying assumption in this field. It is shown, adding to a recent discussion by Long (1965), that finite internal waves may depend crucially on small effects neglected in this approximation.

On the flow due to a rotating disk

Abstract: The von Karman (1921) rotating disk problem is extended to the case of flow started impulsively from rest; also, the steady-state problem is solved to a higher degree of accuracy than previously by a simple analytical-numerical method which avoids the matching difficulties in Cochran's (1934) well-known solution. Exact representations of the non-steady velocity field and pressure are given by suitable power-series expansions in the angle of rotation, Ωt, with coefficients that are functions of a similarity variable. The first four equations for velocity coefficient functions are solved exactly in closed form, and the next six by numerical integration. This gives four terms in the series for the primary flow and three terms in each series for the secondary flow.The results indicate that the asymptotic steady state is approached after about 2 radians of the disk's motion and that it can be approximately obtained from the initial-value, time-dependent analysis. Furthermore, the non-steady flow has three phases, the first two of which are accurately and fully described with the terms computed. During the first-half radian (phase 1), the velocity field is essentially similar in time, with boundary-layer thickening the only significant effect. For 0·5 [lsim ] Ωt [lsim ] 1·5 (phase 2), boundary-layer growth continues at a slower rate, but simultaneously the velocity profiles adjust towards the shape of the ultimate steady-state profiles. At about Ωt = 1·5, some flow quantities overshoot the steady-state values by small amounts. In analogy with the ‘Greenspan-Howard problem’ (1963) it is believed that the third phase (Ωt > 1·5) consists of a small amplitude decaying oscillation about the steady-state solution.

On transition in a separated laminar boundary layer

Abstract: This paper deals with the growth of small disturbances in a separated laminar boundary layer for high Reynolds numbers as a function of the dimensionless flow parameters. Using a hot-wire technique, the experiments show that spatially growing disturbances are only affected by the Strouhal number. Thus the basic equations of the process become relatively simple. The experiments show good agreement with theoretical results obtained by means of hydrodynamic stability theory for spatially growing disturbances.

Condensation of water vapour during supersonic expansion in nozzles

Abstract: Existing data on the condensation of steam and moist air in supersonic nozzles are compared with predictions based on nucleation and drop-growth theory. It is concluded that, if the surface tension is assumed independent of curvature, and the classical liquid-drop theory (based on a stationary liquid drop) is used, the theory is in general agreement with the data. The effects of uncertainties in cluster surface energy and also of the large corrections to nucleation theory due to the ‘gasification’ concept are examined. The gasification correction is in accord with experimental data only if the surface tension is considered to rise significantly with curvature. In neither case can the Tolman or Kirkwood–Buff equations be supported. A review of existing data shows that there is some question as to the appropriate value of the condensation coefficient but this is of little consequence as long as the accommodation coefficient for the liquid–vapour surface is taken to be unity. The usefulness of the nozzle experiments for testing the validity of nucleation theory is demonstrated.

Fluctuating lift and drag on a long cylinder of square cross-section in a smooth and in a turbulent stream

Abstract: The paper presents the results of measurements of fluctuating lift and drag on a long square cylinder. The measurements include the correlation of lift along the cylinder and the distribution of fluctuating pressure on a cross-section. The magnitude of the fluctuating lift was found to be considerably greater than that for a circular cross-section and the spanwise correlation much stronger.It was found that the presence of large-scale turbulence in the stream had a marked influence on both the steady and the fluctuating forces. The most significant changes were at small angles of attack (%alpha; < 10°) and included a reduction in base suction and a decrease in fluctuating lift of about 50%.

Influence of viscosity, surface tension, and inclination angle on motion of long bubbles in closed tubes

Abstract: An experimental study has been made of the motion oflong bubbles in closed tubes. The influence of viscosity and surface tension on the bubble velocity is clarified. A correlation of bubble velocities in vertical tubes is suggested and is shown to be useful for the whole range of parameters investigated. In addition, the effect of tube inclination angle on bubble velocity is presented, and certain features of the flow are described qualitatively.

Double boundary layers in oscillatory viscous flow

Abstract: This paper is concerned with unsteady laminar boundary layers on solid bodies in the presence of a fluctuating external flow of small amplitude. Any containing enclosures are assumed to be at infinity. Compressibility is ignored and conditions are given under which this and other approximations are valid. Special attention is focussed on the phenomenon of the formation of a steady-streaming flow, induced by the Reynolds stresses in the oscillatory boundary layer: it is shown that, if the characteristic Reynolds number of the steady streaming is large, there is an outer boundary layer within which the steady-streaming velocity decays to zero. The thickness of this outer layer is large compared with that of the inner (oscillatory) layer, but small compared with a typical dimension of the body.The partial differential equation for the flow in the outer layer is solved in a typical case by a generalization of a series-expansion method due to Fettis. Similarity solutions of the equation are also described.The theory is applied specifically to the case of flow generated by a circular cylinder oscillating along a diameter in an infinite fluid. Qualitative agreement is obtained with experiments performed by Schlichting.

On convective instability induced by surface-tension gradients

Abstract: The linearized stability problem for steady, cellular convection resulting from gradients in surface tension is examined in some detail Earlier work by Pearson (1958) and Sternling & Scriven (1959, 1964) has been extended by considering the effect of gravity waves In order to avoid the use of an assumed coupling mechanism at the interface, the relevant dynamical equations were retained for both phases It is shown that the existence of a critical Marangoni number is assured, and that for many situations this critical value is essentially that which is appropriate to the case of a non-deformable interface Usually, surface waves are important only at very small wave-numbers, but they are dominant for unusually thin layers of very viscous liquids

Jets and plumes with negative or reversing buoyancy

Abstract: The motion of turbulent jets of heavy salt solution injected upwards into a tank of fresh water has been compared with that of plumes which are initially buoyant but become heavy as they mix with the environment. The reversal of buoyancy in the latter case is produced by using fluids having a non-linear density change on mixing, a laboratory analogue of the density changes occurring at the top of a cumulus cloud due to evaporation. The behaviour in the two cases is quite different; salt jets reach a steady height about which only small fluctuations occur, while the plumes with reversing buoyancy exhibit violent regular oscillations. This phenomenon, which is clearly a property of the ‘evaporation’ and not just of the geometry, is suggested as a likely explanation of the observed oscillation of the tops of cumulus towers. Dimensional arguments have been used to relate the experimental results to the volume, momentum and buoyancy fluxes at the source. An application of one of the deduced relations to the atmosphere gives realistic periods for the cloud-top oscillations.

The effect of initial conditions on the development of a free shear layer

Abstract: The distance between the separation point and the final approach to a fully developed turbulent mixing layer is found to be of the order of a thousand times the momentum-deficit thickness of the initial boundary layer, whether the latter be laminar or turbulent. There are correspondingly large shifts in the virtual origin of the mixing layer, resulting in spurious Reynolds-number effects which cause considerable difficulties in tests of model jets or blunt-based bodies, and which are probably responsible for the disagreements over the influence of Mach number on the development of free shear layers. These effects are explained.

Equilibrium turbulent boundary layers

Abstract: Empirical information is extracted from constant-pressure flows and, on this basis alone, the equations of motion are solved for flows where the pressure gradient parameter, β = δ*(dp/dx)/τ0 is held constant. The experimental defect profiles of Clauser and the near-separating profile of Stratford are predicted quite well.The present work is an extension of the work of Clauser and Townsend in that a particular form for an effective or eddy viscosity is hypothesized. Here, however, a continuous, and analytically precise family of defect profiles are calculated for the entire range, −0·5 ≤ β ≤ ∞. The solutions span the whole profile with the exception of the viscous sublayer.A detailed consideration of the viscous sublayer and a comparative examination of various eddy viscosity hypotheses are included in a companion paper.

The flow of a jet from a body opposing a supersonic free stream

Abstract: A series of experiments is described in which a jet issues from an orifice at the nose of a body in supersonic flow to oppose the mainstream. An analytical model of the flow is developed which suggests that the aerodynamic features of a steady flow depend primarily on a jet flow-force coefficient, and the Mach number of the jet in its exit plane. A sufficient condition for steady flow is developed. The experiments are found to agree well with predictions based on the flow model. A short account is presented of some previous investigations, and some of their conclusions are re-examined in the light of the present study.

On almost rigid rotations. Part 2

Abstract: The dynamical properties of a fluid, occupying the space between two concentric rotating spheres, are considered, attention being focused on the case where the angular velocities of the spheres are only slightly different and the Reynolds number R of the flow is large. It is found that the flow properties differ inside and outside a cylinder [Cscr ], circumscribing the inner sphere and having its generators parallel to the axis of rotation. Outside [Cscr ] the fluid rotates as if rigid with the angular velocity of the outer sphere. Inside [Cscr ] the fluid rotates with an angular velocity intermediate to the angular velocities of the two spheres and determined by the condition that the flux of fluid into the boundary layer of the faster-rotating sphere is equal to the flux out of the boundary layer of the slower-rotating sphere at the same distance from the axis. The return of fluid is effected by a shear layer near [Cscr ] and we show that it has a complicated structure for it can be divided into three separate layers, two outer ones, of thickness .

Dynamics of flexible slender cylinders in axial flow Part 1. Theory

Abstract: A general theory is presented to account for the small, free, lateral motions of a flexible, slender, cylindrical body immersed in fluid flowing parallel to the position of rest of its axis. The cylinder is either clamped or pinned at both ends, or clamped at the upstream end and free at the other; it lies in a horizontal plane wherein all motion is considered to be confined. It is shown that for sufficiently large flow velocities the cylinder may be subject to buckling and oscillatory instabilities in its first and higher flexural modes, respectively. It is shown that for cylinders with both ends supported the oscillatory instabilities are specifically caused by lateral frictional forces, and that in the absence of hydrodynamic-drag effects only buckling is possible. The same applies for cylinders supported at the upstream end and with a very long, gradually tapering free end. The critical conditions of stability, expressed in dimensionless form, are evaluated extensively for clamped-free and pinned-pinned cylinders, illustrating the effect of the various system parameters on stability.

Determination of mean and dynamic skin friction, separation and transition in low-speed flow with a thin-film heated element

Abstract: The application of a heated thin metallic film to the measurement of mean skin friction in laminar and turbulent flow on a flat plate, circular cylinder and in an annular tunnel is described. The manner in which transition and separation are detected with this instrument is illustrated by reference to tests on a circular cylinder. The influence of the ambient air temperature and the gauge temperature on the behaviour of the instrument is analysed and it is shown that a reliable element can be constructed, capable of being moved from one location to another, while retaining its calibration. An element, calibrated on an oscillating flat plate, is used to obtain the spectral density of skin friction in a turbulent boundary layer.

A study of turbulence at a wall using an electrochemical wall shear-stress meter

Abstract: A technique has been developed to measure the instantaneous shear stress at the boundary over which a liquid is flowing. It is being used to study turbulence in the immediate vicinity of a pipe wall. A reaction is conducted on an electrode mounted flush with a solid wall at high enough voltages to reduce the concentration of the reacting species to zero at the surface. Under these conditions, the rate of reaction is controlled by the rate of mass transfer. The electrode is analogous to a constant-temperature hot-wire anemometer in that the surface concentration is kept constant and the current flowing in the circuit is related to the surface shear stress. For fully developed turbulence the limiting velocity intensity, based on the local average velocity, is 0·32. Some of the velocity fluctuations are as large as the local average velocity and their distribution is nearly symmetric about the average. The ratio of the longitudinal to circumferential scale is about 30 : 1, because the circumferential scale is very small. There is some indication that close to a wall the velocity fluctuations in the circumferential direction are much smaller than the longitudinal fluctuations.

A technique for the precise measurement of small fluid velocities

Abstract: A technique for the quantitative measurement of fluid velocities in the range 0–5 cm/sec is described. The technique uses a pH indicator, is applicable in aqueous solutions and permits visualization and measurement of three-dimensional flow fields.

Shallow water flows past slender bodies

Abstract: The problem solved concerns the disturbance to a stream of shallow water due to an immersed slender body, with special application to the steady motion of ships in shallow water. Formulae valid to first order in slenderness are given for the wave resistance and vertical forces at both sub- and supercritical speeds. The vertical forces are used to predict sinkage and trim of ships and satisfactory comparisons with model experiments are made.

Periodic oscillations in a model of thermal convection

Abstract: Periodic oscillations are found in a one-dimensional model of thermal convection. The model consists of a fluid-filled tube bent into rectangular shape and standing in a vertical plane. The fluid is heated at the centre of the lower horizontal segment and cooled at the centre of the upper horizontal segment. When a certain parameter exceeds unity, a periodic motion of the fluid is found in which the flow is always in the same direction but in which the speed varies. Inertia is unimportant for this oscillation, which depends upon the interplay between frictional and buoyancy forces.

Grid turbulence at large Reynolds numbers.

Abstract: Grid turbulence for large Reynolds numbers, noting consistency of power spectra values with Kolmogoroff scaling, decay law and Reynolds number effect on turbulence

The integration of the two-dimensional laminar boundary-layer equations past the point of vanishing skin friction

Abstract: A method is proposed for obtaining regular solutions of the boundary-layer equations near a point of vanishing skin friction for steady incompressible laminar two-dimensional flow. The boundary-layer equations are integrated numerically in the usual way until the separation point is approached; then the displacement thickness is prescribed as a regular function of the distance along the surface, leaving the pressure gradient to be calculated from the consequent solution. Numerical solutions are obtained with reversed flow and shallow separation bubbles inside the boundary layer without the occurrence of a singularity at the separation point.

Wind-generated waves in thin liquid films

Abstract: In the presence of an air stream, a uniform liquid film on a horizontal flat plate may be unstable to small disturbances, and waves may arise. In this paper the hydrodynamic stability of thin liquid films is examined both experimentally and theoretically.The experiments concern water films thinner than those which have been examined in the past. It is found that, when the film thickness is sufficiently small, a previously unknown type of instability occurs. The theoretical analysis explains this surprising phenomenon.Due to interaction of the mean airflow and small disturbances of the liquid-air interface, normal and tangential stress perturbations are produced at the liquid surface. It is shown that small wave-like disturbances become unstable when the joint influence of the component of normal stress in phase with the wave elevation and the component of tangential stress in phase with the wave slope is sufficient to overcome the ‘stiffness’ of the liquid surface due to gravity and surface tension. It is found that the destabilizing role of the tangential stress component is dominant for very thin films, and that instability may occur whatever the velocity of the air stream, provided the film is made sufficiently thin.

The mechanism of entrainment in free turbulent flows

Abstract: A considerable quantity of observations and measurements exists concerning the phenomenon of intermittency which is connected closely with the entrainment process in free turbulent flows. A number of these are described in the first part of the paper and conclusions are drawn about the shape and motion of the bounding surface that separates turbulent and non-turbulent fluid. The salient features are that indentations of the surface grow and decay cyclically, that each cycle leads to substantial entrainment of ambient fluid into the turbulent region, that the indentations move at a considerable speed relative to the free stream, and that the surface has a comparatively simple form. The growth–decay cycle of the indentations suggests that a critical condition for growth exists, but the pressure field consequent on the convection velocity of the indentations makes for a Helmholtz type of instability that is unlikely to be stabilized by purely viscous behaviour of the turbulent fluid. It is known that the initial response of turbulent fluid to distortion is elastic in character, with incremental Reynolds stress proportional to increment of total strain, and sufficient rigidity could stabilize the bounding surface. A simple flow model–an inviscid stream flowing over an elastic jelly—is examined and the condition for marginal stability is compared with the observed properties of the flow. The model leads to the conclusion that indentations of more than a critical wave-number are stable, and provides reasons for the comparatively simple form of the surface and for the occurrence of indentations in groups of about three. The relative values of entrainment constants in different flows of uniform density do not depend critically on the nature of the entrainment process provided that the main turbulent motion remains geometrically similar, but the correlation between entrainment constant and relative depth of the indentations found by Gartshore (1966) appears as a consequence of the ‘elastic’ control of the growth–decay cycle. Lastly, the properties of the engulfment mechanism are used to show that the entrainment constant for a jet is proportional to the square root of the ratio of ambient density to the average density inside the jet. In contrast, the corresponding result for engulfment controlled by an eddy viscosity is variation as the ratio of the mean of the ambient and inside density to the inside density. Observations of high-speed jets of water in air and air in water give some support to the ‘elastic’ hypothesis.

Results of an attempt to generate a homogeneous turbulent shear flow

Abstract: An approximately homogeneous turbulent shear flow is generated in an open-return wind tunnel test-section by a plane parallel-rod grid of uniform rod diameter and non-uniform rod spacing. The grid design is based upon an analysis by Owen & Zienkiewicz (1957). Hot-wire measurements taken in this flow include mean velocities, component turbulence intensities, shear and two-point space correlations, and energy spectra. In addition, microscales, obtained both from instantaneous time derivatives of the hot-wire signal and from two-point space correlations, and integral scales, calculated both from correlations and energy spectra, are reported.Based upon these results, it is concluded that, far enough away from the grid and the test-section wall boundary layers: The turbulence intensities are maintained at uniform values by the nearly constant mean shear.The turbulent shear stress approaches an asymptotic value.Measured two-point space correlation coefficients and one-dimensional energy spectra attain self-preserving forms.When distance downstream of the grid is measured in terms of the number of ‘local’ grid rod spacings, (see discussion of microscales obtained from time derivatives), the Taylor microscale defined by the correlation coefficient Ruu(rX, 0, 0) grows linearly with this ‘effective’ distance over most of the region measured.The limited number of integral scale determinations and experimental uncertainty allow only the statements that the magnitude of the longitudinal scale is roughly one-eighth the lateral dimension of the square test-section and tends to increase slightly with ‘effective’ distance from the grid.The lateral integral scales are approximately one-half the longitudinal scales and also increases with distance from the grid.The integral scale which characterizes the size of the eddy primarily responsible for momentum transfer is roughly one-tenth the test-section lateral dimension (measured at one point only).