Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
11:00
Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flow Structures Downstream of a Model Type IV Stent Failure in a 180° Curved Artery Test Section
Published on: July 19, 2016
Topological characterization of flow structures in resistive pressure-gradient-driven turbulence
B A Carreras1, I Llerena, L Garcia
1BACV Solutions Incorporated, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, USA. bacv@comcast.net
Summary
This study introduces a quantitative method to analyze turbulent flow topology, moving beyond visualization to describe flow structures. The technique is demonstrated using resistive ballooning instabilities.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Plasma Physics
- Computational Science
Background:
- Turbulent flow visualization aids understanding but lacks quantitative topological descriptions.
- Existing methods struggle to provide precise characterization of complex flow structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative approach for characterizing the topology of turbulent flows.
- To provide a method applicable to diverse turbulence dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel technique for quantitative topological analysis of fluid flows.
- Application and illustration of the technique using resistive ballooning instabilities.
Main Results:
- The proposed method offers a quantitative description of turbulent flow topology.
- Successful application to resistive ballooning instabilities demonstrates the technique's versatility.
Conclusions:
- A new quantitative method for turbulent flow topology characterization has been established.
- This approach enhances the understanding of turbulence dynamics and transport phenomena.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Turbulent Flow
Turbulent flow is characterized by unpredictable fluctuations in velocity and pressure, which result in a chaotic fluid movement distinct from the orderly patterns of laminar flow. While laminar flow is governed by smooth, parallel layers with minimal mixing, turbulent flow exhibits highly irregular, three-dimensional patterns. This behavior arises due to instabilities in the fluid's velocity profile, and amplifies as the flow velocity increases. Minor disturbances, known as turbulent spots,...
01:10Poiseuille's Law and Reynolds Number
Any fluid in a horizontal tube can flow due to pressure differences—fluid flows from high to low pressure. The flow rate (Q) is the ratio of pressure difference and resistance through a horizontal tube. The greater the pressure difference, the higher the flow rate. The flow resistance is expressed as:
01:22General Characteristics of Pipe Flow I
Pipe flow refers to the movement of fluids within fully enclosed conduits, typically cylindrical in shape, such as water pipes or hydraulic hoses. These conduits are designed to withstand high-pressure gradients that drive fluid movement, contrasting with open-channel flows, where gravity is the primary driving force. Rectangular conduits, like air conditioning and heating ducts, generally operate at lower pressures and are less suited for high-pressure applications.
The classification of fluid...
The classification of fluid...
01:24General Characteristics of Pipe Flow II
When fluid enters a pipe, it first passes through the entrance region, where the velocity profile adjusts due to viscous effects. In this region, a boundary layer forms along the pipe walls and grows until it fully occupies the pipe's cross-section. Once the boundary layer merges, the flow becomes fully developed, with a steady velocity profile that remains consistent along the pipe's length.
The distance to reach a fully developed flow is called the entrance length and depends on the flow...
The distance to reach a fully developed flow is called the entrance length and depends on the flow...
01:07Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Fluid dynamics is the study of fluids in motion. Velocity vectors are often used to illustrate fluid motion in applications like meteorology. For example, wind—the fluid motion of air in the atmosphere—can be represented by vectors indicating the speed and direction of the wind at any given point on a map. Another method for representing fluid motion is a streamline. A streamline represents the path of a small volume of fluid as it flows. When the flow pattern changes with time, the streamlines...
01:23Introduction to Types of Flows
Fluid flows are categorized by dimensionality and behavior, with one-dimensional flow being the simplest form, where properties like velocity and pressure change only along a single axis. Water moving through straight pipes exemplifies this flow type, as variations in other directions are minimal. One-dimensional analysis helps simplify understanding such flows, focusing solely on changes along the pipe's length.
Two-dimensional flow involves changes in both length and height, as seen in air...
Two-dimensional flow involves changes in both length and height, as seen in air...