Probing turbulent superstructures in Rayleigh-Bénard convection by Lagrangian trajectory clusters

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

We analyze large-scale patterns in three-dimensional turbulent convection in a horizontally extended square convection cell by Lagrangian particle trajectories calculated in direct numerical simulations. A simulation run at a Prandtl number Pr =0.7, a Rayleigh number Ra =105, and an aspect ratio Γ=16 is therefore considered. These large-scale structures, which are denoted as turbulent superstructures of convection, are detected by the spectrum of the graph Laplacian matrix. Our investigation, which follows Hadjighasem et al. [Phys. Rev. E 93, 063107 (2016)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.93.063107], builds a weighted and undirected graph from the trajectory points of Lagrangian particles. Weights at the edges of the graph are determined by a mean dynamical distance between different particle trajectories. It is demonstrated that the resulting trajectory clusters, which are obtained by a subsequent k-means clustering, coincide with the superstructures in the Eulerian frame of reference. Furthermore, the characteristic times τL and lengths λUL of the superstructures in the Lagrangian frame of reference agree very well with their Eulerian counterparts, τ and λU, respectively. This trajectory-based clustering is found to work for times tτ≈τL. Longer time periods tτL require a change of the analysis method to a density-based trajectory clustering by means of time-averaged Lagrangian pseudotrajectories, which is applied in this context for the first time. A small coherent subset of the pseudotrajectories is obtained in this way consisting of those Lagrangian particles that are trapped for long times in the core of the superstructure circulation rolls and are thus not subject to ongoing turbulent dispersion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113502
JournalPhysical Review Fluids
Volume3
Issue number11
ISSN2469-990X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15.11.2018

Recently viewed

Researchers

  1. Jana Hüttmann

Publications

  1. Facilitating collaborative processes in transdisciplinary research using design prototyping
  2. Backward Extended Kalman Filter to Estimate and Adaptively Control a PMSM in Saturation Conditions
  3. Design for the triple topline
  4. Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors for Track Applications
  5. Lab-scale experiment of a closed thermochemical heat storage system including honeycomb heat exchanger
  6. Economic Analysis of Recycling Solutions to Exploit Plastic Pollution in Oceans
  7. State-wide university implementation of an online platform for eating disorders screening and intervention.
  8. Using frequency tagging to investigate social processing in autism
  9. Theme zones in English media discourse
  10. Putting sustainable chemistry and resource use into context
  11. Health State Valuation Methods and Reference Points
  12. A Theory-Based Teaching Concept To Embed Sustainability In The Engineering Curriculum
  13. Conclusion
  14. It Matters to Whom You Compare Yourself
  15. Uncertainty, Pluralism, and the Knowledge-based Theory of the Firm
  16. Effects of different video- or text-based reflection stimuli on pre-service teachers’ emotions, immersion, cognitive load and knowledge-based reasoning
  17. Action Learning
  18. Encoding the law of State responsibility with courage and resolve
  19. Ownership Patterns and Enterprise Groups in German Structural Business Statistics
  20. The Transition to Renewable Energy Systems - On the Way to a Comprehensive Transition Concept
  21. Exploring the Capacity of Water Framework Directive Indices to Assess Ecosystem Services in Fluvial and Riparian Systems
  22. Towards a Sustainable Use of Phosphorus
  23. Panel Cointegration Testing in the Presence of a Time Trend
  24. Buckling Analysis under Uncertainty
  25. Is fairness intuitive? An experiment accounting for subjective utility differences under time pressure
  26. On kites, comets, and stars. Sums of eigenvector coefficients in (molecular) graphs.
  27. Contributing to sustainable development pathways in the South Pacific through transdisciplinary research
  28. Structural ambidexterity, transition processes, and integration trade‐offs: a longitudinal study of failed exploration
  29. The Multiple Self Objection to the Prudential Lifespan Account