Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 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
Forced-dissipative two-dimensional turbulence: A scaling regime controlled by drag
Yue-Kin Tsang1, William R Young
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Summary
Energy dissipation in 2D turbulence scales with the driving force (epsilon) and damping rate (micro) as epsilon proportional to micro{1/3}. Large-scale eddies limit energy injection by disrupting the force-velocity phase relation.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Turbulence Theory
- Computational Physics
Background:
- Two-dimensional turbulence is fundamental to understanding complex fluid systems.
- Characterizing energy transfer and dissipation is crucial for predictive modeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the scaling laws of energy dissipation in 2D turbulence.
- Identify the mechanisms limiting energy injection under specific forcing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of 2D turbulence with a steady sinusoidal body force.
- Analysis of energy dissipation rates (epsilon) and damping rates (micro).
- Statistical equilibrium analysis to determine scaling regimes.
Main Results:
- A clear scaling regime was observed: epsilon proportional, variant micro;{1/3}.
- Energy dissipation showed no significant dependence on hyperviscosity, domain size, or numerical resolution.
- Advection by large-scale eddies was identified as the key mechanism limiting energy injection.
Conclusions:
- The observed power-law scaling provides a robust characterization of energy injection in 2D turbulence.
- The findings are applicable to systems driven by steady or slowly changing spectrally confined forces.
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,...
01:30Typical Model Studies
Fluid mechanics model studies often utilize scaled-down systems to predict fluid behavior in full-scale environments, such as river flows, dam spillways, and structures interacting with open surfaces. Maintaining Froude number similarity in river models is crucial, as it replicates surface flow features like wave patterns and velocities.
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...
01:21Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway
Scaled hydraulic models of dam spillways provide a practical way to replicate and study the intricate flow dynamics of these structures. Often built to a 1:15 ratio, these models allow for observing critical water behavior, such as velocity distribution, flow patterns, and energy dissipation.
01:17Steady, Laminar Flow Between Parallel Plates
Understanding steady, laminar flow between parallel plates is essential for analyzing and designing flow in narrow rectangular channels, commonly found in various water conveyance and drainage systems. The Navier-Stokes equations govern fluid motion and are generally challenging to solve due to their nonlinearity. However, simplifications are possible in certain cases, like the steady laminar flow between parallel plates. For this scenario, we assume steady, incompressible, laminar flow.
01:15Dimensionless Groups in Fluid Mechanics
Dimensionless groups in fluid mechanics provide simplified ratios that help analyze fluid behavior without relying on specific units. The Reynolds number (Re), which represents the ratio of inertial to viscous forces, distinguishes between laminar and turbulent flows, making it essential in the design of pipelines and aerodynamic surfaces. The Froude number (Fr), the ratio of inertial to gravitational forces, is particularly useful in predicting wave formation and hydraulic jumps in...