Turbulence

Learning Outcomes

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• The students are introduced to a framework for analysing turbulent flows, which is derived from a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles. Models are presented that are both historical and at the forefront of the subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments. This is assessed through weekly quizzes and the final exam.
• The students use Matlab/python to apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to analyse data of turbulent flows, reflecting on the uncertainty of the data and limitation of the models employed. This is assessed through weekly quizzes and the final exam.
• The students have a creative assignment to capture a photograph of a turbulent flow and to discuss effectively the complex turbulent flow behaviour observed, in the context of engineering matters, and accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• The students prepare a presentation discussing a journal article in the context of the module material. In doing so they must select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information and how it is relevant to solve complex problems.
• Through analytical examples and data analyses exercises, students analyse complex flows to reach substantiated conclusions, eg. applying turbulent models to predict and explain flow behaviour of a range of canonical and complex turbulent flows. This builds on first principles of mathematics, statistics, fluid dynamics principles to apply a framework for analysing turbulent flows. It requires using engineering judgment to understand the usefulness and limitations of the analysis. This is assessed through weekly quizzes and the final exam.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of turbulent flows (SM1m, SM7m)
• Use of different approaches to solving different turbulent flow problems, and introduction to different modelling approaches, and an appreciation of their assumptions and limitations (SM5m, EA2, EA6M)
• Awareness of current problems and developing technologies at the forefront of turbulence research (SM4m, SM8m, P9m)
• Appreciate strengths and weaknesses of methods used to measure turbulent flows (EA5m)
• Knowledge and understanding of statistical analysis tools to analyse turbulent flows as well as data manipulation methods (SM2m)

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Practice problems analysing example research data of turbulent flows and using appropriate engineering analysis tools (EA7M, D9M)

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Study and learn in-class and independently, applying skills in problem solving, information retrieval and self-learning (G1, G2)

1.Introduction to turbulence: Characteristics of turbulence. Applications. Assumptions. Mean and fluctuating quantities

2.Analytical tools: Probability density function and moments, correlations, and length scales. Strain and vorticity. Tensor notation.

3.The scales of turbulence and the energy cascade. Kolmogorov’s hypotheses

4.Governing equations: Derive the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Discuss closure models.

5.Reynolds stress equations and the turbulent kinetic energy equation. Production and Dissipation.

6.Canonical turbulent “Simple” flows: Homogeneous isotropic turbulence and homogeneous shear flow.

7.Self-similarity, jets and wakes.

8.Channel flows and pipe flows

9.Boundary layers: log-law, roughness function, atmospheric boundary layers

10.Turbulent mixing: Fick’s law, diffusivity coefficient, advection-diffusion equation, Peclet number

Teaching methods include

• Lectures (2 per week)
• Computer-based tutorials (1 per week)
• Supporting material on Blackboard.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.