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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 November 2011
Accurate computation of the evolution of initially localized disturbances in compressible parallel flows is a tedious task requiring superposition of a large number of Fourier modes with differing temporal growth rates. An alternative approximate method, similar to that developed by Craik (1981, 1982) for viscous incompressible flows, is presented here. This involves asymptotic evaluation, by the saddle point method, of a double Fourier integral representation of the disturbance, with the actual dispersion relation replaced by a simpler analytic expression containing several parameters which may be adjusted to approximate the flow under investigation. Limiting cases yield informative results in simple closed form: these exemplify the possible shapes into which the disturbance may evolve. In particular, ‘splitting’ of the disturbance into two dominant regions is demonstrated.