UUM 509E TURBULENT FLOW FALL 2022

Homework Problems IV
Due: Jan 2, 2023

1. Use the properties of Fourier transforms to show that the continuity equation for incompressible
flow may be expressed in wavenumber space as

ki ûi = 0,

where ~k is the wavenumber vector, and ~û is the Fourier transform of the velocity vector.

2. Obtain a self-similar solution for the downstream evolution of the two-dimensional wake. We
represent the mean streamwise velocity by U 0 − U = U s f (ξ), and the Reynolds shear stress by
2
−ρuv = ρU s g(ξ), where f and g are functions of y/l only (with l being the transverse length
scale of the flow.)

(a) By substituting into the mean flow streamwise momentum equation, show that a self-
similar solution is possible only if the quantities

U 0 dU s U 0 dl
2l and
U dx
s
U s dx

are both independent of downstream location (x).

(b) By making use also of the momentum integral, show that the self-similar solution has the
forms
l = Ax1/2 , U s = Bx−1/2 ,
where A and B are constants to be determined.

3. Consider the statistically steady, two-dimensional turbulent channel flow. Show that the turbu-
lent kinetic energy equation simplifies to
 
dU d 1 1 2
−uv =+ vp + q v .
dy dy ρ 2

(Note that here q 2 ≡ ui ui .)

4. Read section 5.2 (T&L) on the turbulent flow in a channel and discuss/show how (and explain
why) the governing equations are different from that for the turbulent boundary layer. Deter-
mine the velocity profile and compare with the boundary layer profile. Discuss similarities and
differences.