Exercises

Turbulence Prof. E.G.
Tulapurkara
Chapter-1
Chapter 1
Exercises
Exercises
1) Answer the following.
2) Define the terms : time average , space average, phase average and ensemble
average.
b) Define the term probability density function (PDF). What properties should a PDF
satisfy? Verify that the following PDF satisfies them.
P(U) = 0 ; U < -3
=
1
16
 3+U2  ; -3  U  -1
1
 6 - 2U ; -1  U  1
2
=
16
1
 3 -U ; -1  U  3
2
=
16
=0;U>3
c) Turbulence is a continuum phenomenon – explain.
d) Explain the term central moments. Show that the first central moment is zero for a
stationary random quantity. Give expressions for the second, third and fourth central
moments. In light of these define skewness (S) and kurtosis (K). What are the values of
‘S’ and ‘K’ for a Gaussian distribution?
e) Sketch a typical autocorrelation function and define integral time scale    and Taylor
micro scale  E  using this curve. What is an alternate way to obtain an accurate
estimate of E ?
f) What is Taylor’s hypothesis and how does it help in obtaining length scale from time
scale?
g) Following ten readings are a sample of a turbulent signal. Obtain the quantity
u2 ν 
from the data.
U
3
Dept. of Aerospace Engg., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 1

Turbulence Prof. E.G. Tulapurkara
Chapter-1
U(m/s) 10.2 9.8 9.6 9.0 11.0 11.2 11.05 10.75 10.6 10.0
V(m/s) 1.0 1.5 0.0 0.7 0.6 0.2 1.6 0.8 0.25 0.5
(Hint : Obtain U,V,u,  and proceed).
u2 ν 
[Ans : = 1.852 x 10-5 ]
U 
3
h) Explain the concept of energy cascade and relationship between turbulent kinetic
energy produced and the energy dissipated.
i) Viscosity decides the scale at which dissipation takes place but not the amount of
dissipation. Explain?
j) Briefly explain the arguments leading to Kolmogorov length scale ( η d ). Using
dimensional analysis show that
d =   / ε  ; ud   ε  
1/2 1/4
Where, ε = rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy and  = kinematic viscosity.
Further show that d / TE = RL11

-1/2 -1/4
and ud / Vt = RL11 , Where RL11 is Reynolds number,
based on the length scale of larger eddies (L11) and their velocity scale (Vt).
k) Define conditional sampling and briefly explain as to how it is used in understanding
turbulent flows.
l) Briefly explain the phenomenon of intermittency. In a turbulent signal taken over 100
ms, the flow was observed to be non-turbulent during intervals of 14 to 22 ms, 30 to 35
ms, 41 to 47 ms, 53 to 62 ms, 77 to 82 ms and 91 to 96 ms. Obtain the value of the
intermittency factor.
[ Ans :  = 0.62 ].
2) Reference 1.67 presents data on turbulence quantities in the wake of a circular
cylinder of diameter (d). See Fig.1.2b which shows wake of an aerofoil. Following
values are obtained at the center line at a location where x/d = 420.
2
 u1 
u = 0.1m / s ,
2
  = 18 s , ε = 0.109 m / s ,external velocity =Ue = 6.7 m/s,
-1 2 3

1
 1
x
 = 14×10-6 m/s2 . Obtain the following.

Turbulence Prof. E.G. Tulapurkara
Chapter-1
(i) Longitudinal Taylor micro scale ( λ )

2
 u 
(ii) Isotropic dissipation (  i ) given by ε i = 15   1  . Comment on the
 x1 
difference between ε and ε i .
[Ans : λ = 5.55×10-3 ; i = 0.06801 m2 / s3 . ]
Comment : In this case ε i is 62.4 % of ε . This could cause error in estimate of
Kolmogrov scales ηd , d & ud . Noting that ηd , is proportional to ε-1/4 , the use of ε i
would result in about 13 % over-estimate of ηd .
3) Reference 1.67 also presents the following data on variation of ε across the upper
half of the wake. Note : y = 0 indicates centre line of the wake.
y(mm) 0 2.48 4.96 7.44 9.92 12.88 19.84 24.8
ε (m2/s3) 0.1160 0.1183 0.1271 0.1190 0.1134 0.0804 0.0383 0.00979
Obtain variation of η d across the wake.
[Ans :
y(mm) 0 2.48 4.96 7.44 9.92 12.88 19.84 24.8

ηd 0.759 0.755 0.742 0.754 0.763 0.831 1.001 1.407
(mm)
Remark : Sometimes, one may mention representative value of ηd in a particular
flow, based on appropriate value of ‘L’ and Vt. However, as shown above ‘ ε ‘
varies across the flow and so does ηd . In chapter 4 variations of ε across some
other flows are presented ].

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Turbulence Prof. E.G.

Dept. of Aerospace Engg., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 1

(Hint : Obtain U,V,u,  and proceed).

dimensional analysis show that

Where, ε = rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy and  = kinematic viscosity.

Further show that d / TE = RL11

 = 14×10-6 m/s2 . Obtain the following.

Dept. of Aerospace Engg., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 2

(i) Longitudinal Taylor micro scale ( λ )

[Ans : λ = 5.55×10-3 ; i = 0.06801 m2 / s3 . ]

Comment : In this case ε i is 62.4 % of ε . This could cause error in estimate of

Kolmogrov scales ηd , d & ud . Noting that ηd , is proportional to ε-1/4 , the use of ε i

would result in about 13 % over-estimate of ηd .

y(mm) 0 2.48 4.96 7.44 9.92 12.88 19.84 24.8

Remark : Sometimes, one may mention representative value of ηd in a particular

other flows are presented ].

Dept. of Aerospace Engg., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 3

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