Output details

Direct numerical simulation of axisymmetric wakes embedded in turbulence

Significance of output:

Classical theories on the nature of turbulent wakes behind obstacles suggested that they would eventually forget their initial conditions and become universal – i.e. independent of how they were formed. Over the last decade or so this has been questioned many times in the literature. Our paper shows unequivocally, by using direct numerical simulation techniques, that universality does indeed occur, but only after exceedingly long times (or distances). Unusually, all three referees specifically commended it as an important piece of work. It lays to rest much recent controversy.