Turbulence on computers

Abstract

Turbulence in fluid flows remains an unsolved problem, at once of great technological relevance and scientific interest, on which every available tuol-theoretical, numerical, experimental-has been used. With the advent of computers engineers have invented many ad hoc mathematical models, and used them with effect in limited classes of flows. Direct ("exact") numerical solution of the governing equations can offer great insight at modest Reynolds numbers, and has just now become possible in India with the availability of a powerful parallel computer at the National Aeronautical Laboratory, Bangalore. An assessment of the various ways in which computer power can be harnessed for tackling the problem of turbulent flows is presented.