Fluctuations in Geophysical and Boundary Layer Flows
Abstract
The question of the stability of a stratified shear flow is addressed through the investigation of the initial-value problem defined for a two-layer fluid of infinite extent with uniform velocity and density in each layer. Solutions of this problem have application to the generations of unstable motions in the atmosphere. Concentration continues on the analysis of perturbations in a turbulent Ekman layer. Steady viscous incompressible flow is considered over a semi-infinite flat plate under the influence of either internal or external time-dependent perturbations. Experimentally, an internal perturbation may be realized by a vibrating ribbon and an external perturbation corresponds to small fluctuations superimposed on a uniform freestream. Attention is focused on both the importance and the complexity of the nonlinear processes which take the place after the first appearance of a turbulent spot in a boundary layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 05, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA214720
Entities
People
- William O. Criminale Jr.
Organizations
- University of Washington