Direct laminar-turbulent transition in Taylor-Couette flow: Experiments and simulations

ORAL

Abstract

The transition to turbulence in Taylor-Couette flow is frequently mediated by stable flow states (e.g. interpenetrating spirals). We describe a direct laminar-turbulent transition in a system with counterrotating cylinders and small aspect ratio of 5.26. In experiments probed using tomographic PIV and direct numerical simulations with realistic boundary conditions, we find the transition is hysteretic, yet highly reproducible with turbulence triggered by the growth of weak spiral flows.

*This study was supported by NSF DMS-1125302 and NSF CMMI-1234436

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Authors

  • Christopher J. Crowley

    • Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Michael Krygier

    • Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Samuel G. Raben

    • Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Daniel Borrero

    • Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Roman O. Grigoriev

    • Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Michael F. Schatz

    • Center for Nonlinear Science and School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology
    • Georgia Institute of Technology