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Large-eddy simulation was used to model turbulent atmospheric surface layer (ASL) flow over canopies composed of streamwise-aligned rows of synthetic trees of height,$$h$$, and systematically arranged to quantify the response to variable streamwise spacing,$$\delta _1$$, and spanwise spacing,$$\delta _2$$, between adjacent trees. The response to spanwise and streamwise heterogeneity has, indeed, been the topic of a sustained research effort: the former resulting in formation of Reynolds-averaged counter-rotating secondary cells, the latter associated with the$$k$$- and$$d$$-type response. No study has addressed the confluence of both, and results herein show secondary flow polarity reversal across ‘critical’ values of$$\delta _1$$and$$\delta _2$$. For$$\delta _2/\delta \lesssim 1$$and$$\gtrsim 2$$, where$$\delta$$is the flow depth, the counter-rotating secondary cells are aligned such that upwelling and downwelling, respectively, occurs above the elements. The streamwise spacing$$\delta _1$$regulates this transition, with secondary cell reversal occurring first for the largest$$k$$-type cases, as elevated turbulence production within the canopy necessitates entrainment of fluid from aloft. The results are interpreted through the lens of a benchmark prognostic closure for effective aerodynamic roughness,$$z_{0,{Eff.}} = \alpha \sigma _h$$, where$$\alpha$$is a proportionality constant and$$\sigma _h$$is height root mean square. We report$$\alpha \approx 10^{-1}$$, the value reported over many decades for a broad range of rough surfaces, for$$k$$-type cases at small$$\delta _2$$, whereas the transition to$$d$$-type arrangements necessitates larger$$\delta _2$$. Though preliminary, results highlight the non-trivial response to variation of streamwise and spanwise spacing.
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Transition to turbulence in viscoelastic channel flow of dilute polymer solutions
The transition to turbulence in a plane Poiseuille flow of dilute polymer solutions is studied by direct numerical simulations of a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic fluid with the Peterlin closure. The range of Reynolds number ($$Re$$)$$2000 \le Re \le 5000$$is studied but with the same level of elasticity in viscoelastic flows. The evolution of a finite-amplitude perturbation and its effects on the transition dynamics are investigated. A viscoelastic flow begins transition at an earlier time than its Newtonian counterparts, but the transition time appears to be insensitive to polymer concentration in the dilute and semi-dilute regimes studied. Increasing polymer concentration, however, decreases the maximum attainable energy growth during the transition process. The critical or minimum perturbation amplitude required to trigger transition is computed. Interestingly, both Newtonian and viscoelastic flows follow almost the same power-law scaling of$$Re^\gamma$$with the critical exponent$$\gamma \approx -1.25$$, which is in close agreement with previous studies. However, a shift downward is observed for viscoelastic flow, suggesting that smaller perturbation amplitudes are required for the transition. A mechanism of the early transition is investigated by the evolution of wall-normal and spanwise velocity fluctuations and flow structure. The early growth of these fluctuations and the formation of quasi-streamwise vortices around low-speed streaks are promoted by polymers, hence causing an early transition. These vortical structures are found to support the critical exponent$$\gamma \approx -1.25$$. Once the transition process is completed, polymers play a role in dampening the wall-normal and spanwise velocity fluctuations and vortices to attain a drag-reduced state in viscoelastic turbulent flows.
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- PAR ID:
- 10557215
- Publisher / Repository:
- Journal of Fluid Mechanics
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Fluid Mechanics
- Volume:
- 976
- ISSN:
- 0022-1120
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2023.930
