Self-sustained processes in the logarithmic layer of turbulent channel flows

It has recently been shown that large-scale and very-large-scale motions can self-sustain in turbulent channel flows even in the absence of input from motions at smaller scales. Here we show that also motions at intermediate scales, mainly located in the logarithmic layer, survive when motions at smaller scales are artificially quenched. These elementary self-sustained motions involve the bursting and regeneration of sinuous streaks. This is a further indication that a full range of autonomous self-sustained processes exists in turbulent channel flows with scales ranging from those of the buffer layer streaks to those of the large scale motions in the outer layer. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3599157]