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Generalized logarithmic scaling for high-order moments of the longitudinal velocity component explained by the random sweeping decorrelation hypothesis

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4961963· OSTI ID:1467882
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Nicholas School of the Environment; Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Duke University
  2. Karlsruhe Inst. of Technology (KIT) (Germany). Inst. of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environment Research (IMK-IFU)
  3. Istituto di Scienze dell Atmosfera e del Clima, Lecce (Italy). Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
  4. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  5. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Nicholas School of the Environment; Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Expressions for the logarithmic variations of the normalized turbulent longitudinal velocity ($$\overline{u^2p}^+$$)1/p with normalized distance z/δ from a boundary for high-order (p) moments in the intermediate region of wall bounded flows characterized by thickness δ are derived. The ansatz that ($$\overline{u^2p}^+$$)1/p variation in ln(z/δ) originates from a compound effect of random sweeping and -1 power-law scaling in the longitudinal velocity spectrum Eu(k) is discussed, where k is the wavenumber. Using velocity time series sampled above a uniform ice sheet, an Eu(k) ~ k-1 scaling is confirmed for kz < 1 and kδ > 1. The data were then used to analyze assumptions required for the utility of the random sweeping decorrelation (RSD) hypothesis connecting the k-1 power-law with log-scaling in ($$\overline{u^2p}^+$$)1/p. It has been found out that while the RSD hypothesis is operationally applicable to scales associated with attached eddies bounded by kz < 1 and kδ > 1, significant interactions among high-order turbulent velocity and velocity increments lead to the conclusion that the RSD hypothesis cannot be exactly valid. Lastly, its operational utility stems from the observations that some of the interaction terms among the high-order velocity and velocity increments act in opposite directions thereby canceling their additive effects in RSD.
Research Organization:
Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0006967; SC0011461
OSTI ID:
1467882
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1322414
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids, Journal Name: Physics of Fluids Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 28; ISSN 1070-6631; ISSN PHFLE6
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Scalewise invariant analysis of the anisotropic Reynolds stress tensor for atmospheric surface layer and canopy sublayer turbulent flows journal May 2018
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