Lyapunov stability of ideal compressible and incompressible fluid equilibria in three dimensions
Linearized stability of ideal compressible and incompressible fluid equilibria in three dimensions is analyzed using Lyapunov's direct method. An action principle is given for the Eulerian and Lagrangian fluid descriptions and the family of constants of motion due to symmetry under fluid-particle relabelling is derived in the form of Ertel's theorem for each description. In an augmented Euleriah description, the steady equilibrium flows of these two fluids theories are identified as critical points of the conserved Lyapunov functionals defined by the sum, H + C, of the energy H, and the Ertel constants of motion, C. It turns out that unconditional linear Lyapunov stability of these flows in the norm provided by the second variation of H + C is precluded by vortex-particle stretching, even for otherwise shear-stable flows. Conditional Lyapunov stability of these flows is discussed. 24 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6130020
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-85-4140; CONF-8507103-2; ON: DE86003648
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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