The structure of turbulence in rotating rough-channel flows

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of rib-roughened turbulent channel flow rotating about its spanwise axis, by Narasimhamurthy and Andersson [Turbulence statistics in a rotating ribbed channel. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow 51, 29-41. (2015)], is revisited to seek complementary insights into the combined effects of roughness and Coriolis force on the turbulence. Flow in the channel was maintained at a friction Reynolds number, Re-tau = 400 and the non-inertial reference frame was rotated at different speeds quantified by the dimensionless rotation number, Ro = 0, 2 and 6. Both the aforementioned parameters are based on the friction velocity u(tau) and half-height of the channel h. The channel walls were symmetrically mounted with transverse square ribs with cross-section of side k = 0.1h and pitch lambda = 8k. Rotation causes preferential aligning of the near-wall vortical structures. The Taylor-Gortler-like roll-cells similar to those found in the rotating smooth-channel flows, survive the presence of the transverse ribs, but exhibit transient behavior. Increased transport of turbulent kinetic energy from the pressure side at higher Ro is evident from the variation of the vertical transport velocity V-k. The rotational production rates assume increasingly significant roles in distributing the kinetic energy in different directions. Anisotropy invariant maps and Taylor microscales show that the structure of turbulence is affected by rotation in a significant manner.

Automated summary

This study revisits the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of rib-roughened turbulent channel flow rotating about its spanwise axis. The combined effects of roughness and Coriolis force on turbulence were analyzed. The results showed that rotation caused preferential aligning of near-wall vortical structures and the rotational production rates played a significant role in distributing kinetic energy. The structure of turbulence was significantly affected by rotation.