Volume 51, pp. 547-569, 2019.

Laminar-turbulent transition in channel flow: wall effects and critical Reynolds number

Hidesada Kanda

Abstract

This article describes a possible cause of natural laminar-turbulent transition in channel flow, and the minimum critical Reynolds number $R_{\text{c,min}}$ is determined. It is assumed that the mechanism of transition is the same for both circular pipe flow and channel flow since each flow has its own minimum critical Reynolds number. Our starting points are that under natural disturbance conditions, transition appears to take place only in the developing entrance region and that the critical Reynolds number $R_{\text{c}}$ becomes $R_{\text{c,min}}$ when using a sharp-edged uniform channel. In our previous studies of circular pipe flow, we have developed a model for transition and obtained $R_{\text{c,min}} = 1910$ and $1950$ in two mesh systems. In this study, for channel flow, the above transition model is verified by obtaining $R_{\text{c,min}} = 1190$ and $1260$ in two mesh systems.

Full Text (PDF) [985 KB], BibTeX

Key words

hydrodynamic stability, mesh refinement, thermodynamics

AMS subject classifications

76E05, 65M50, 80A05

Links to the cited ETNA articles

[12]	Vol. 44 (2015), pp. 548-571 Hidesada Kanda: Laminar-turbulent transition in pipe flow: wall effects and critical Reynolds number

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