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On the effects of free-stream turbulence on axisymmetric disc wakes

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Abstract

Wind tunnel experiments have been used to study the effects of free-stream turbulence on the axisymmetric wake behind a disc. The disc and its wake were introduced to various turbulent streams having various levels of turbulence intensity and length scale. It was found that the presence of free-stream turbulence enhances the body’s drag and hence wake momentum deficit, if it is of sufficient strength, changes the far wake’s decay rate and prevents the appearance of self-similarity. The external turbulence causes a significant transformation in the wake’s turbulence structure. This gradually evolves towards the character of the free-stream turbulence itself and thus is characterised by much weaker turbulence (cross-stream) transport processes and a consequent dominance of shear stress production, which acts to maintain the shear stress and mean velocity profiles.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the School of Engineering Sciences at the University of Southampton for funding E. R. via a research studentship. In addition, we would like to express our gratitude to Prof Gary Coleman, Drs Victoria Suponitsky and Paul Hayden and to Mr Zachary Taylor for their input through numerous discussions.

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  1. Elad Rind

    Present address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

    Elad Rind & Ian P. Castro

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  1. Elad Rind
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  2. Ian P. Castro
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Correspondence to Elad Rind.

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Rind, E., Castro, I.P. On the effects of free-stream turbulence on axisymmetric disc wakes. Exp Fluids 53, 301–318 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-012-1288-2

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