The structure of a turbulent flow in a channel of complex shape

Professional Paper 983
By:

Links

Abstract

Measurements of the Reynolds stresses and the mean motion pattern were made in a uniform turbulent motion in a conduit consisting of a large, nearly square section joined by a smaller rectangular section. The results indicate that the boundary shearing stress is nearly constant over large segments of the boundaries. The magnitudes of the lateral and the vertical components of turbulence are not the same near a boundary and the component normal to the boundary is smaller than the component parallel to the boundary. The difference in the two components in the corner regions of the channel produces secondary mean motions in the plane of the channel section. The strength of the motion depends upon the angle subtended by the corner. A principal function of the secondary motions is to transfer momentum into the corner regions and, elsewhere, to compensate for the excess force due to the shear gradients. In the absence of the secondary motions, the fluid must stagnate and separate from the boundaries in certain regions and be greatly accelerated in others. The secondary motions are conventionally described in terms of symmetrical rotations in cells bounded by the corner bisectors. The measured motion pattern is at variance with this view, unless the symmetry is confined to a very local region. (Woodard-USGS)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The structure of a turbulent flow in a channel of complex shape
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 983
DOI 10.3133/pp983
Edition -
Year Published 1976
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Govt. Print. Off.,
Description 24 p.
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details