Wave-mean flow interaction in an MHD wake behind bluff body

Experimental studies of the effect of constant magnetic field on the process of mean velocity profile stabilization in a wake behind a bluff body are described. To interpret the obtained results, a theoretical model is proposed explaining the scheme of wave-mean flow interaction. We assume that the stabilization process is based on the injection of energy of respective turbulent modes into vortical structures through non-attenuating inertial waves generated in these vortical structures. We also take into account helical character of turbulence in the conditions under study, with weak energy dissipation and its accumulation in large scales. (C) 2004 Published by The Japan Society of Fluid Mechanics and Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.