Propagation Of Waves In Shear Flows

The state of the art in a theory of oscillatory and wave phenomena in hydrodynamical flows is presented in this book. A unified approach is used for waves of different physical origins. A characteristic feature of this approach is that hydrodynamical phenomena are considered in terms of physics; that is, the complement of the conventionally employed formal mathematical approach. Some physical concepts such as wave energy and momentum in a moving fluid are analysed, taking into account induced mean flow. The physical mechanisms responsible for hydrodynamic instability of shear flows are considered within the concept of negative energy waves. The phenomenon of over-reflection is analysed. A number of well-known theorems of the hydrodynamic theory of stability are interpreted in terms of the interaction of the waves having different energy signs. Attention is drawn to the plasma-hydrodynamic analogy, which is a powerful tool for physical analyses of general mechanisms of wave amplification and absorption in flows. Various wave-flow interaction problems are considered, for instance, sound generation in whistlers, wave scattering and amplification by vortices, methods of wave remote sounding, and some nonlinear dynamical and chaotic phenomena. The book is intended for researchers specializing in wave theory, aeroacoustics, geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics, and related fields. It may also be useful to graduate and post-graduate students as a supplement to standard lecture courses. Contents:Wave Energy and Momentum in a Moving MediumWave Generation by Unstable Shear FlowsPiecewise-Linear Models of FlowsOver-ReflectionResonant Wave–Flow InteractionOscillatory Systems with Hydrodynamic FlowsWaves on Concentrated VorticesRemote Wave Sensing of Moving VorticesBibliography Readership: Nonlinear scientists, researchers in wave theory, fluid dynamics and related fields. keywords:Stratified Shear Flows;Hydrodynamic Instabilities;Wave Energy and Momentum;Negative Energy Waves;Wave-Current Interaction. Over-Reflection;Plasma-Hydrodynamic Analogy;Wind Waves;Solitons;Concentrated Vortices;Resonance Interaction;Critical Layer;Whistle;Vortex Sheet;Rossby Waves;Internal Gravity Waves;Sound Scattering;Aerodynamic Generation of Sound “… will be most useful as a reference … it is well written and substantially free of typographic mistakes.” Applied Mechanics Reviews

A number of well-known theorems of the hydrodynamic theory of stability are interpreted in terms of the interaction of the waves having different energy signs. Attention is drawn to the plasma-hydrodynamic analogy, which is a powerful tool for physical analyses of general mechanisms of wave amplification and absorption in flows. Various wave-flow interaction problems are considered, for instance, sound generation in whistlers, wave scattering and amplification by vortices, methods of wave remote sounding, and some nonlinear dynamical and chaotic phenomena.

Starting from fundamentals of classical stability theory, an overview is given of the transition phenomena in subsonic, wall-bounded shear flows. At first, the consideration focuses on elementary small-amplitude velocity perturbations of laminar shear layers, i.e. instability waves, in the simplest canonical configurations of a plane channel flow and a flat-plate boundary layer. Then the linear stability problem is expanded to include the effects of pressure gradients, flow curvature, boundary-layer separation, wall compliance, etc. related to applications. Beyond the amplification of instability waves is the non-modal growth of local stationary and non-stationary shear flow perturbations which are discussed as well. The volume continues with the key aspect of the transition process, that is, receptivity of convectively unstable shear layers to external perturbations, summarizing main paths of the excitation of laminar flow disturbances. The remainder of the book addresses the instability phenomena found at late stages of transition. These include secondary instabilities and nonlinear features of boundary-layer perturbations that lead to the final breakdown to turbulence. Thus, the reader is provided with a step-by-step approach that covers the milestones and recent advances in the laminar-turbulent transition. Special aspects of instability and transition are discussed through the book and are intended for research scientists, while the main target of the book is the student in the fundamentals of fluid mechanics. Computational guides, recommended exercises, and PowerPoint multimedia notes based on results of real scientific experiments supplement the monograph. These are especially helpful for the neophyte to obtain a solid foundation in hydrodynamic stability. To access the supplementary material go to extras.springer.com and type in the ISBN for this volume.

The subject of wave phenomena is well-known for its inter-disciplinary nature. Progress in this field has been made both through the desire to solve very practical problems, arising in acoustics, optics, radiophysics, electronics, oceanography, me teorology and so on, and through the development of mathematical physics which emphasized that completely different physical phenomena are governed by the same (or similar) equations. In the immense literature on physics of waves there is no lack of good presentations of particular branches or general textbooks on mathematical physics. But if one restricts the attention to pulse propagation phenomena, one no tices that many useful facts are scattered among the various books and journals, and their connections are not immediately apparent. For example, the problems involv ing acoustic pulse propagation in bubbly liquids and those related to electromagnetic pulses in resonant media are usually treated without much cross reference in spite of their obvious connections. The authors of this book have attempted to write a coherent account of a few pulse propagation problems selected from different branches of applied physics. Although the basic material on linear pulse propagation is included, some topics have their own unique twists, and a comprehensive treatment of this body of material can hardly be found in other sources. First of all, the problem of pulse propagation in non equilibrium media (unstable or admitting attenuation) is far more delicate than it is apparent at a first glance.

This up-to-date and comprehensive account of theory and experiment on wave-interaction phenomena covers fluids both at rest and in their shear flows. It includes, on the one hand, water waves, internal waves, and their evolution, interaction, and associated wave-driven means flow and, on the other hand, phenomena on nonlinear hydrodynamic stability, especially those leading to the onset of turbulence. This study provide a particularly valuable bridge between these two similar, yet different, classes of phenomena. It will be of value to oceanographers, meteorologists, and those working in fluid mechanics, atmospheric and planetary physics, plasma physics, aeronautics, and geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics.