Unlikely existence of kx-1 spectral law in wall turbulence: An observation of the atmospheric surface layer
Abstract
For wall turbulence, a range of streamwise wavenumbers kx has been predicted such that the spectral density of streamwise velocity fluctuations is proportional to kx-1. The existence or nonexistence of this kx-1 law is examined here. We observe the atmospheric surface layer over several months, select suitable data, and use them to synthesize the energy spectrum that would represent wall turbulence at a very high Reynolds number. The result is not consistent with the kx-1 law. It is, rather, consistent with a recent correction to the prediction of a model of energy-containing eddies that are attached to the wall. The reason for these findings is discussed mathematically.
- Publication:
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Physics of Fluids
- Pub Date:
- March 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.5063545
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1902.07445
- Bibcode:
- 2019PhFl...31c5103M
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Fluid Dynamics;
- Physics - Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
- E-Print:
- 8 pages, to appear in Physics of Fluids