DOI: 10.1615/ICHMT.2009.TurbulHeatMassTransf
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-262-1
ISSN: 2377-2816
Homogeneously-sheared compressible turbulence at the rapid distortion limit: Interaction between velocity and thermodynamic fluctuations
ABSTRACT
Compressible turbulence involves complex interactions between flow and thermodynamic fluctuations. In this paper, we investigate the effect of velocity and thermodynamic initial conditions (fluctuations) on homogeneously-sheared turbulence evolution in the rapid distortion limit. In compressible turbulence, rapid distortion theory (RDT) can be based on linearization about the Favre-averaged field (F-RDT) or Reynolds-averaged field (R-RDT). Computations from both types of RDT are presented at various gradient and turbulent Mach numbers. The well-known stabilizing influence of compressibility on turbulence is shown to be profoundly affected by increasing level of initial temperature fluctuations. The tendency toward equi-partition between internal and kinetic energy is also investigated. The relationship between density and pressure fluctuations is also examined. Overall, the results provide valuable insight into the interaction between velocity and thermodynamic variables.