Recurrent bursts via linear processes in turbulent environments.
Large-scale instabilities occurring in the presence of small-scale turbulent fluctuations are frequently observed in geophysical or astrophysical contexts but are difficult to reproduce in the laboratory. Using extensive numerical simulations, we report here on intense recurrent bursts of turbulence in plane Poiseuille flow rotating about a spanwise axis. A simple model based on the linear instability of the mean flow can predict the structure and time scale of the nearly periodic and self-sustained burst cycles. Poiseuille flow is suggested as a prototype for future studies of low-dimensional dynamics embedded in strongly turbulent environments.
Linné FLOW Centre and Swedish e-Science Research Centre, KTH Mechanics, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Geert
G
Brethouwer
Linné FLOW Centre and Swedish e-Science Research Centre, KTH Mechanics, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Philipp
P
Schlatter
LIMSI-CNRS, UPR 3251, Université Paris-Sud, F-91403 Orsay, France.
Yohann
Y
Duguet
Linné FLOW Centre and Swedish e-Science Research Centre, KTH Mechanics, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Dan S
DS
Henningson
Linné FLOW Centre and Swedish e-Science Research Centre, KTH Mechanics, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Arne V
AV
Johansson