Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T13:23:36.073Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Stability of turbulent channel flow, with application to Malkus's theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

W. C. Reynolds
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California
W. G. Tiederman
Affiliation:
Shell Development Company, Emeryville, California

Abstract

The Orr-Sommerfeld stability problem has been studied for velocity profiles appropriate to turbulent channel flow. The intent was to provide an evaluation of Malkus's theory that the flow assumes a state of maximum dissipation, subject to certain constraints, one of which is that the mean velocity profile is marginally stable. Dissipation rates and neutral stability curves were obtained for a representative two-parameter family of velocity profiles. Those in agreement with experimental profiles were found to be stable; the marginally stable profile of greatest dissipation was not in good agreement with experiments. An explanation for the apparent success of Malkus's theory is offered.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1967 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Cess, R. D. 1958 A survey of the literature on heat transfer in turbulent tube flow. Westinghouse Research Rep. no. 8–0529–R24.Google Scholar
Gage, D. H., Schiffer, M., Kline, S. J. & Reynolds, W. C. 1966 The non-existence of a general thermokinetic variational principle. Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics (eds. Donnelly, R. J., Herman, R. & Prigogine, I.). Chicago: University Press.
Howard, L. N. 1964 The number of unstable modes in hydrodynamic stability problems J. Mecanique, 3, 43343.Google Scholar
Landahl, M. 1965 A waveguide model for turbulent shear flow. NASA CR-317.Google Scholar
Laufer, J. 1951 Investigation of turbulent flow in a two-dimensional channel. NACA Rep. no. 1053.Google Scholar
Lee, L. H. & Reynolds, W. C. 1964 A variational method for investigating the stability of parallel flows. Tech. Rep. no. FM-1, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University. Stanford, California.Google Scholar
Lin, C. C. 1955 The Theory of Hydrodynamic Stability. Oxford University Press.
Lumley, J. 1966 The structure of inhomogeneous turbulent flows. Proc. International Colloq. on the Fine Scale Structure of the Atmosphere and its Influence on Radio Wave Propagation, Moscow, June 1965, Dokl. Akad. Nauk (U.S.S.R.).
Malkus, W. V. R. 1956 Outline of a theory of turbulent shear flow J. Fluid Mech. 1, 521.Google Scholar
Miles, J. W. 1960 The hydrodynamic stability of a thin film of liquid in uniform shearing motion J. Fluid Mech. 8, 593.Google Scholar
Reynolds, W. C. 1965 Thermodynamics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Sparrow, E. M. & Siegel, R. 1959 A variational method for fully developed laminar heat transfer in ducts. TASME, Series C, J. Heat Transfer, p. 157.Google Scholar
Spiegel, E. A. 1962 On the Malkus theory of turbulence. Mecanique de la Turbulence, Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, p. 182.
Tiederman, W. G. & Reynolds, W. C. 1965 Stability of turbulent Poiseuille flow with application to the Malkus theory of turbulence. Tech. Rep. no. FM-2, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University. Stanford, California.Google Scholar
Townsend, A. A. 1962 Remarks on the Malkus theory of turbulent flow. Mecanique de la Turbulence, p. 167. Paris: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.