A New Direction in Hydrodynamic Stability: Beyond Eigenvalues
Abstract
Fluid flows that are smooth at low speeds become unstable and then turbulent at higher speeds. This phenomenon has traditionally been investigated by linearizing the equations of flow and looking for unstable eigenvalues of the linearized problem, but the results agree poorly in many cases with experiments. Nevertheless, it has become clear in recent years that linear effects play a central role in hydrodynamic instability. A reconciliation of these findings with the traditional analysis can be obtained by considering the pseudospectra of the linearized problem, which reveals that small perturbations to the smooth flow in the form of streamwise vortices may be amplified by factors on the order of 105 by a linear mechanism, even though all the eigenmodes are stable. The same principles apply also to other problems in the mathematical sciences that involve non-orthogonal eigenfunctions.... Hydrodynamic stability, Transition to turbulence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA261846
Entities
People
- Anne E. Trefethen
- Lloyd N. Trefethen
- Satish C. Reddy
- Tobin A. Driscoll