We report on new experiments designed to investigate bed destabilization processes in a two-dimensional wave flume physical model of a beach. The mobile bed consists of non-cohesive granular material of low density. The wave conditions are provided by repeating a cycle of waves made of two bichromatic groups of different period. The horizontal and vertical velocities are acoustically profiled vertically from free-stream elevation down to the still bed level in the surf zone. Additional measurements of the fluid pressure at positions closely aligned horizontally and vertically in and slightly above the sediment bed are undertaken. Mobile bed interfaces, still bed and top interface, are detected via acoustic and optical methods. Both methods are cross-compared and give similar results. Flow turbulence over the bed is analysed, the Reynolds turbulent shear stress is found negligible compared to the orbital flow induced momentum diffusion. The shear stress and the horizontal pressure gradient are computed at near-bed elevation and used in the bed incipient plug flow model of Sleath (Cont. Shelf Res., vol. 19 (13), 1999, pp. 1643–1664). Both the model and the measurements confirm that destabilization occurs when the non-dimensional pressure gradient (or Sleath number) exceeds the threshold value of 0.3 which is simultaneous with strong flow acceleration. The near-bottom fluid shear stress detected during these flow accelerations at steep wave fronts is found experimentally to be negative, which is retrieved with an unsteady plug flow model. This is suggesting that the fluid above the bed resists the sediment layer motion at these particular phases.

The asymptotic solution for the incompressible viscous flow past a semi-infinite flat plate constructed by Goldstein (1956, 1960) can be valid only if the solutions of certain ordinary differential equations obey certain constraints (given in Goldstein 1956, 1960). In this paper, we construct the solutions of these equations, show that the necessary constraints are met, and hence establish the validity of the asymptotic solution up to the order considered. The manner in which undetermined constants appear in the solution are discussed.

The thermocapillary and shear-induced instabilities of a thin heated layer of liquid bounded from the top by a deformable free surface and at the bottom by a horizontally oscillating plate are studied for both Earth-bound and microgravity conditions. Finite-wavelength thermocapillary convection can be stabilized very significantly by the oscillatory shear, whereas shear-induced instabilities are greatly stabilized if the Marangoni number is negative. For long-wavelength thermocapillary convection, oscillatory shear can stabilize or destabilize the basic state, depending primarily on the imposed forcing frequency. With microgravity, significant stabilization of the dominant long-wavelength convection can be achieved by carefully selecting the imposed frequency.

The present paper treats the large Reynolds number scaling of coherent structures in stably stratified flows sheared between two horizontally placed walls. Three-dimensional steady solutions are used to confirm the theoretical scaling. For small values of the Richardson number, the previously known scaling based on the vortex–wave interaction/self-sustaining process is found to give excellent predictions of the numerical results. When the Richardson number is increased, the maximum size of the vortices is limited by the Ozmidov scale. The largest possible Richardson number to sustain the vortices is predicted to be of order unity when the typical length scale of the vortices reaches the Kolmogorov scale. The minimum-scale vortices are governed by unit Reynolds number Navier–Stokes equations.

A homogeneous turbulent shear flow in its asymptotic stage of development was subjected to an additional (longitudinal) strain by passing the flow through gradual contraction in the direction perpendicular to that of the mean shear. Two contractions, of area ratio 1.4 and 2.6, were used. Mean velocity and turbulent stress (both normal and shear) distributions were measured at several streamwise locations in the contraction region. The mean velocity distributions agree quite well with calculations based on the (inviscid) Bernoulli equation. Until at least half-way down the contraction with the larger area ratio, the rapid-distortion calculations considering only the streamwise acceleration were found to be reasonably successful in predicting the turbulent intensities. For the smaller-area-ratio contraction, corrections for the ‘natural development’ of the shear flow become important nearly everywhere. Similar calculations considering the shear as the only straining mechanism are generally less successful, although the shear strain rate is at least as rapid as, or even more so than, the longitudinal one. The pressure-rate-of-strain covariance terms estimated from the approximate component energy balance were used to test the adequacy of three models with varying degrees of complexity. Although none of these models appears general enough, their performance is generally adequate for the lower-area-ratio contraction; perhaps not surprisingly, the more complex the model the better its performance.

Stirring and sedimentation of solid inertial particles in low-Reynolds-number flows has acquired great relevance in multiple environmental, industrial and microfluidic systems, but few detailed numerical studies have focused on chaotically advected experimentally realizable flows. We carry out one-way coupling simulations to study the dynamics of inertial particles in the steady three-dimensional flow in a cylindrical container with exactly counter-rotating lids, which was recently studied by Lackey & Sotiropoulos (Phys. Fluids, vol. 18, 2006, paper no. 053601). We elucidate the rich Lagrangian dynamics of the flow in the vicinity of toroidal invariant regions and show that depending on the Stokes number inertial particles could get trapped for long times in different equilibrium positions inside integrable islands. In the chaotically advected region of the flow the balance between inertia and gravity forces (represented by the settling velocity) can produce a striking fractal sedimentation regime, characterized by a sequence of discrete deposition events of seemingly random number of particles separated by hiatuses of random duration. The resulting staircase-like distribution of the time series of the number of particles in suspension is shown to be a devil's staircase whose fractal dimension is equal to the 0.87 value found in multiple dissipative dynamical systems in nature. Our work sheds new light on the complex mechanisms governing the stirring and deposition of inertial particles and provides new information about the parameters that are relevant in the characterization of particle dynamics in different regions of chaotically advected flows.

In part 1 of this work (Brown & Stewartson 1980b) we examined the nonlinear interaction of a forced internal gravity wave in a stratified fluid with its critical level. Although the Richardson number J was taken to be large, the method described there was, in principle, applicable to all Richardson numbers and as such we did not take advantage of the asymptotic properties of the solution of the linearized equations. Here in part 2 we re-develop the linearized solution for a general basic shear and temperature profile when J [Gt ] 1 as the large-time limit of an initial-value problem for a wave incident from above the shear layer. On this time scale it is known that the reflection and transmission coefficients are 0(e−νπ), ν = (J −¼)½. It is shown that, when J [Gt ] 1, the solution in the neighbourhood of the critical layer consists only of algebraically decaying elements with a direction of propagation parallel to the layer (critical-level noise) below a certain level, but of critical-level noise and a wavelike term, corresponding to the imposed incident wave, above this level. On a longer time scale, specifically $t = 0(\epsilon^{-\frac{2}{3}})$, where ε is the amplitude of the forced wave, the nonlinear terms are no longer negligible; the development of the reflection and transmission coefficients on this time scale is the subject of part 3 (Brown & Stewartson 1982).

In an earlier paper (Wan et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 697, 2012, pp. 296–315), the authors showed that a similarity solution for anisotropic incompressible three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, in the presence of a uniform mean magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$, exists if the ratio of parallel to perpendicular (with respect to $\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$) similarity length scales remains constant in time. This conjecture appears to be a rather stringent constraint on the dynamics of decay of the energy-containing eddies in MHD turbulence. However, we show here, using direct numerical simulations, that this hypothesis is indeed satisfied in incompressible MHD turbulence. After an initial transient period, the ratio of parallel to perpendicular length scales fluctuates around a steady value during the decay of the eddies. We show further that a Taylor–Kármán-like similarity decay holds for MHD turbulence in the presence of a mean magnetic field. The effect of different parameters, including Reynolds number, mean field strength, and cross-helicity, on the nature of similarity decay is discussed.

A non-parallel linear stability analysis which utilizes the assumptions made in the parabolized stability equations is applied to the buoyancy-driven flow in a differentially heated cavity. Numerical integration of the complete Navier–Stokes and energy equations is used to validate the non-parallel theory by introducing an oscillatory heat input at the upstream end of the boundary layer. In this way the stability properties are obtained by analysing the evolution of the resulting disturbances. The solutions show that the spatial growth rate and wavenumber are highly dependent on the transverse location and the disturbance flow quantity under consideration. The local solution to the parabolized stability equations accurately predicts the wave properties observed in the direct simulation whereas conventional parallel stability analysis overpredicts the spatial amplification and the wavenumber.

In this paper we consider buoyancy-driven flow and directional solidification of a ternary alloy in two dimensions. A steady flow can be established by forcing liquid downward at an average rate V through a temperature gradient that is fixed in the laboratory frame of reference and spans both the eutectic and liquidus temperature of the material being solidified. Our results include both a linear stability analysis and numerical solution of the governing equations for finite-amplitude steady states. The ternary system is characterized by two distinct mushy zones – a primary layer with dendrites composed of a single species and, beneath the primary layer, a secondary layer with a dendritic region composed of two species. The two layers have independent effective Rayleigh numbers, which allows for a variety of convection scenarios.

We present a detailed experimental investigation of conditional statistics obtained from dissipation elements based on the passive scalar field $\theta $ and its instantaneous scalar dissipation rate $\chi $. Using high-frequency planar Rayleigh scattering measurements of propane discharging as a round turbulent jet into coflowing carbon dioxide, we acquire with Taylor’s hypothesis a highly resolved three-dimensional field of the propane mass fraction $\theta $. The Reynolds number (based on nozzle diameter and jet exit velocity) varies between 3000 and 8600. The experimental results for the joint probability density of the scalar difference $ \mathrm{\Delta} \theta $ and the length $l$ of dissipation elements resembles those previously obtained from direct numerical simulations of Wang & Peters (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 554, 2006, pp. 457–475). In addition, the normalized marginal probability density function $\tilde {P} (\tilde {l} )$ of the length of dissipation elements follows closely the theoretical model derived by Wang & Peters (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 608, 2008, pp. 113–138). We also find that the mean linear distance ${l}_{m} $ between two extreme points of an element is of the order of the scalar Taylor microscale ${\lambda }_{u} $. Furthermore, the conditional mean $\langle \mathrm{\Delta} \theta \vert l\rangle $ scales with Kolmogorov’s $1/ 3$ power law. The investigation of the orientation of long dissipation elements in the jet flow reveals a preferential alignment, perpendicular to the streamwise direction for long elements, while the orientation of short elements is close to isotropic. Following an approach proposed by Kholmyansky & Tsinober (Phys. Lett. A, vol. 373, 2009, pp. 2364–2367), we finally investigate the probability density function of the scalar increment $\delta \theta $ in the streamwise direction, when strong dissipative events are either retained in or excluded from the measurement volume. In the present study, however, these events are related to maximum points of the scalar dissipation rate $\chi $ together with their local extent. When these regions are excluded from the scalar field, we observe a tendency of the probability density function $P(\delta \theta (r))$ towards a Gaussian bell-shaped curve.

Using simple Fourier transform techniques and extensions to stationary-phase methods, the behaviour of surface gravity waves is determined near triply coalescing roots of the dispersion relation. It is shown that the amplitude of the surface wave is proportional to (∂U/∂x)−¼ at the location of the triple root. Far from the triple root it satisfies conservation of action. The internal wave is modelled simply by its surface current U.

Asymptotic orders of magnitude are also given for the case ∂U/∂x = 0 at the triple root.

A fluid drop immersed in a second incompressible fluid is deformed by a motion which, far from the drop, varies linearly with distance. Deformation of the drop is then determined by both the rate of deformation and the vorticity of the continuous fluid phase far from the drop. Experiments are described in which the vorticity and rate of deformation were independently varied by means of an eccentric-disk rheometer field. It is shown that predictions from a small-parameter expansion to first order in ε = μ0Gb/σ are in good agreement with experiment to values of ε as large as 0·4, where μ0 is viscosity of the continuous phase, G a measure of the flow strength, b the drop radius, and σ the interfacial tension.

Of the several terms which arise in the O(ε) expansion, only that one which contains a Jaumann derivative of the deformation parameter provides an important contribution beyond Taylor's original analysis of the problem. This fact greatly simplifies the computation of drop shape.

We study the effect of a time-periodic, lateral acceleration on the two-dimensional flow of a fluid with a free surface subject to surface tension, confined between two plane, parallel walls under conditions of zero gravity. We assume that the velocity of each contact line is a prescribed, single-valued function of the dynamic contact angle between fluid and solid at the wall. We begin by obtaining analytical solutions for the small-amplitude standing waves that evolve when this function is linear, the fluid is inviscid and the lateral acceleration is sufficiently small. This leads to damping of the motion, unless either the contact angles are fixed or the contact lines are pinned. In these cases, we include the effect on the flow of the wall boundary layers, which are the other major sources of damping. We then consider the weakly nonlinear solution of the inviscid problem when the contact angle is almost constant and the external forcing is close to resonance. This solution indicates the possibility of a hysteretic response to changes in the forcing frequency. Finally, we examine numerical solutions of the fully nonlinear, inviscid problem using a desingularized integral equation technique. We find that periodic solutions, chaotic solutions and solutions where the topology of the fluid changes, either through self-intersection or pinch off, are all possible.

Approximate solutions are found for the fluid flow and heat transfer in a heated cylinder, closed at the bottom and opening at the top into a reservoir of cool fluid, which has been tilted at a small angle to the vertical.

One solution is found for large Rayleigh number when the boundary layer does not fill the tube, and another for small Rayleigh number when the boundary layer fills the tube. In both cases tilting causes a small increase in heat transfer which is proportional to the square of (l/a) tan ϕ, where l/a is the length–radius ratio and ϕ the angle of tilt.

The steady three-dimensional flow of a thin, slowly varying ring of Newtonian fluid on either the outside or the inside of a uniformly rotating large horizontal cylinder is investigated. Specifically, we study ‘full-ring’ solutions, corresponding to a ring of continuous, finite and non-zero thickness that extends all of the way around the cylinder. In particular, it is found that there is a critical solution corresponding to either a critical load above which no full-ring solution exists (if the rotation speed is prescribed) or a critical rotation speed below which no full-ring solution exists (if the load is prescribed). We describe the behaviour of the critical solution and, in particular, show that the critical flux, the critical load, the critical semi-width and the critical ring profile are all increasing functions of the rotation speed. In the limit of small rotation speed, the critical flux is small and the critical ring is narrow and thin, leading to a small critical load. In the limit of large rotation speed, the critical flux is large and the critical ring is wide on the upper half of the cylinder and thick on the lower half of the cylinder, leading to a large critical load. We also describe the behaviour of the non-critical full-ring solution and, in particular, show that the semi-width and the ring profile are increasing functions of the load but, in general, non-monotonic functions of the rotation speed. In the limit of large rotation speed, the ring approaches a limiting non-uniform shape, whereas in the limit of small load, the ring is narrow and thin with a uniform parabolic profile. Finally, we show that, while for most values of the rotation speed and the load the azimuthal velocity is in the same direction as the rotation of the cylinder, there is a region of parameter space close to the critical solution for sufficiently small rotation speed in which backflow occurs in a small region on the upward-moving side of the cylinder.

The spontaneous pairing of rolled-up vortices in a laminar jet is investigated as a global secondary instability of a time-periodic spatially developing vortex street. The growth of subharmonic perturbations, associated with vortex pairing, is analysed both in terms of modal Floquet instability and in terms of transient growth dynamics. The article has the double objective to outline a toolset for the global analysis of time-periodic flows, and to leverage such an analysis for a fresh view on the vortex pairing phenomenon. Axisymmetric direct numerical simulations (DNS) of jets with single-frequency inflow forcing are performed, in order to identify combinations of the Reynolds and Strouhal numbers for which vortex pairing is naturally observed. The same DNS calculations are then repeated with an added time-delay control term, which artificially suppresses pairing, so as to obtain time-periodic unpaired base flows for linear stability analysis. It is demonstrated that the natural occurrence of vortex pairing in nonlinear DNS coincides with a linear subharmonic Floquet instability of the underlying unpaired vortex street. However, DNS results suggest that the onset of pairing involves much stronger temporal growth of subharmonic perturbations than that predicted by modal Floquet analysis, as well as a spatial distribution of these fast-growing perturbation structures that is inconsistent with the unstable Floquet mode. Singular value decomposition of the phase-shift operator (the operator that maps a given perturbation field to its state one flow period later) is performed for an analysis of optimal transient growth in the vortex street. Non-modal mechanisms near the jet inlet are thus found to provide a fast route towards the limit-cycle regime of established vortex pairing, in good agreement with DNS observations. It is concluded that modal Floquet analysis accurately predicts the parameter regime where sustained vortex pairing occurs, but that the bifurcation scenario under typical conditions is dominated by transient growth phenomena.

We provide a scaling law for the lift force of autorotating falling seeds at terminal velocity to describe the relation among the lift force, seed geometry and terminal descending and rotating velocities. Two theories, steady wing-vortex theory and actuator-disk theory, are examined to derive the scaling law. In the steady wing-vortex theory, the strength of a leading-edge vortex is scaled with the circulation around a wing and the lift force is modelled by the time derivative of vortical impulse, whereas the conservations of mass, linear and angular momentum, and kinetic energy across the autorotating falling seed are applied in the actuator-disk theory. To examine the validity of the theoretical results, an unsteady three-dimensional numerical simulation is conducted for flow around an autorotating seed (Acer palmatum) during free fall. The sectional lift coefficient predicted from the steady wing-vortex theory reasonably agrees with that from the numerical simulation, whereas the actuator-disk theory fails to provide an estimation of the sectional lift coefficient. The weights of 11 different species of autorotating falling seeds fall on the scaling law derived from the steady wing-vortex theory, suggesting that even a simple theoretical approach can explain how falling seeds support their weights by autorotation once the circulation from a leading-edge vortex is properly included in the theory.

We report an experimental study of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection in an annular cell of water (Prandtl number $Pr=4.3$) with a radius ratio $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\simeq 0.5$. Global quantities, such as the Nusselt number $Nu$ and the Reynolds number $Re$, and local temperatures were measured over the Rayleigh range $4.2\times 10^{9}\leqslant Ra\leqslant 4.5\times 10^{10}$. It is found that the scaling behaviours of $Nu(Ra)$, $Re(Ra)$ and the temperature fluctuations remain the same as those in the traditional cylindrical cells; both the global and local properties of turbulent RB convection are insensitive to the change of cell geometry. A visualization study, as well as local temperature measurements, shows that in spite of the lack of the cylindrical core, there also exists a large-scale circulation (LSC) in the annular system: thermal plumes organize themselves with the ascending hot plumes on one side and the descending cold plumes on the opposite side. Near the upper and lower plates, the mean flow moves along the two circular branches. Our results further reveal that the dynamics of the LSC in this annular geometry is different from that in the traditional cylindrical cell, i.e. the orientation of the LSC oscillates in a narrow azimuthal angle range, and no cessations, reversals or net rotation were detected.