Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Fabrication, Operation and Flow Visualization in Surface-acoustic-wave-driven Acoustic-counterflow Microfluidics
Published on: August 27, 2013
The attenuation of sound by turbulence in internal flows
Chenyang Weng1, Susann Boij, Ardeshir Hanifi
1KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences, The Marcus Wallenberg Laboratory for Sound and Vibration, Linné FLOW Centre, Stockholm, Sweden. chenyang@kth.se
Abstract:
The attenuation of sound waves due to interaction with low Mach number turbulent boundary layers in internal flows (channel or pipe flow) is examined. Dynamic equations for the turbulent Reynolds stress on the sound wave are derived, and the analytical solution to the equation provides a frequency dependent eddy viscosity model. This model is used to predict the attenuation of sound propagating in fully developed turbulent pipe flow. The predictions are shown to compare well with the experimental data. The proposed dynamic equation shows that the turbulence behaves like a viscoelastic fluid in the interaction process, and that the ratio of turbulent relaxation time near the wall and the sound wave period is the parameter that controls the characteristics of the attenuation induced by the turbulent flow.
Related Concept Videos
Turbulent Flow
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
General External Flow Characteristics
Deriving the Speed of Sound in a Liquid
The speed of sound in fluids can be derived by considering a mechanical wave propagating...
Minor Losses in Pipes
Valves play a significant role in generating minor losses by obstructing or redirecting the fluid flow. When a valve is closed or partially closed, it restricts the flow...
General Characteristics of Pipe Flow II
The distance to reach a fully developed flow is called the entrance length and depends on the flow...
