Vortex dynamics and the production of Reynolds stress

Abstract

The physical mechanisms by which the Reynolds shear stress is produced from dynamically evolving vortical structures in the wall region of a direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow are explored. The complete set of quasistreamwise vortices are systematically located and tracked through the flow by the locus of the points of intersection of their centres of rotation with the (y, z) numerical grid planes. This approach assures positive identification of vortices of widely differing strengths, including those whose amplitude changes significantly in time. The process of vortex regeneration, and the means by which vortices grow, distort and interact over time are noted. Ensembles of particle paths arriving on fixed planes in the flow are used to represent the physical processes of displacement and acceleration transport (Bernard & Handler 1990a) from which the Reynolds stress is produced. By interweaving the most dynamically significant of the particle paths with the evolving vortical structures, the dynamical role of the vortices in producing Reynolds stress is exposed. This is found to include ejections of low-speed fluid particles by convecting structures and the acceleration and deceleration of fluid particles in the cores of vortices. Sweep dominated Reynolds stress close to the wall appears to be a manifestation of the regeneration process by which new vortices are created in the flow.