The turbulence problem - A survey

Abstract

A general survey of the present status of understanding and research on the problem of turbulence is presented. Attention is given to all known aspects of low speed turbulent flow. The Reynolds equations for a simple incompressible fluid are reviewed, together with the statistics of random fields, spectral behavior, and the spectrum at high wavenumbers. Consideration is devoted to turbulent shear flows, including concepts of rapid distorsion and similarity principles. Details of the plane turbulent boundary layer are explored, as are turbulence models, closure schemes, integral methods, and differential methods. Higher levels models are also cited, particularly for large eddy simulation, vortex dynamics, and experimental work on coherent turbulent structures.