| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S78667/01 |
| Title: |
The small-scale structure of turbulence |
| Principal Investigator: |
Nickels, Dr T |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2004 |
Ends: |
30 September 2007 |
Value (£): |
199,508
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Turbulence describes the complicated, apparently random motion of rapidly moving fluids, such as the swirling patterns observed in stream-beds. Most real flows are turbulent and are characterised by swirling motions of different speeds and sizes. The range of different sizes of motion is determined by a number known as the Reynolds number. The Reynolds number is generally large if the speed of the flow is large or the objects causing the flow are large (or both). The largest motions are determined by the objects causing the turbulence , such as the large rocks in the stream. The smallest motions are determined by the viscosity of the fluid and get smaller as the Reynolds number increases. These fine motions are very important in determining the behaviour of the flow and they are believed to be universal, regardless of the nature of the large motions, but only if the Reynolds number is high enough. Most fluid flows of technological interest occur at very high Reynolds number and hence these fine scales are very fine indeed. This has meant that experimental difficulties have hampered a full understanding of these very important structures and the changes that may occur at high Reynolds number.The reason there is a need to understand these structures is that this understanding is essential if we are to model and predict complicated flows such as the motion of the atmosphere or flow over civil aircraft.In this research a large facility is to be built to study these fine structures. Building big has the advantage of producing a large Reynolds number, whilst keeping the size of the smallest structures big enough to be resolved by available measurement techniques. High speed cameras are used to follow the motion of fine particles in the flow in space and time. Using special analysis techniques it is possible to use this information to understand the detailed physical structures underlying the extremely complicated phenomenon that is turbulence.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |