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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
04:35
Preparation of Free-Surface Hyperbolic Water Vortices
Published on: July 28, 2023
Turbulence of a free surface
Ralph Savelsberg1, Willem van de Water
1Physics Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Physical Review Letters
|February 1, 2008
Summary
Turbulent channel flow surfaces show reduced correlation between surface waves and subsurface vortices in developed turbulence. Large eddies create random capillary-gravity waves, influencing surface wavelength and anisotropy.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Turbulence Research
- Surface Physics
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between free-surface dynamics and underlying turbulent flow is crucial.
- Previous studies suggest correlations between surface features and subsurface flow structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the statistical relationship between the free surface of turbulent channel flow and the subsurface velocity field.
- To determine how turbulence characteristics affect surface wave properties.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of turbulent channel flow data.
- Statistical correlation between surface topography and subsurface velocity field.
- Examination of wave excitation by turbulent eddies.
Main Results:
- Surface indentations correlate strongly with subsurface vortices in irregular flows.
- This correlation significantly decreases in fully developed turbulence.
- Large eddies generate random capillary-gravity waves across the surface.
Conclusions:
- The statistical link between surface features and subsurface vortices is diminished by developed turbulence.
- Subsurface turbulence dictates the predominant wavelength and anisotropy of surface capillary-gravity waves.
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