Speed and structure of turbulent fronts in pipe flow

TL;DR

This study uses direct numerical simulations to analyze the dynamics and structure of laminar-turbulent fronts in pipe flow, identifying the transition from weak to strong fronts around Re=2900 and the mechanisms driving their behavior.

Contribution

It provides a detailed physical distinction between weak and strong turbulent fronts in pipe flow and links front speed transitions to turbulence dynamics and flow structures.

Findings

Weak fronts travel slower than turbulent structures and decay.

Strong fronts generate turbulence by feeding on laminar flow.

Transition from weak to strong fronts occurs near Re=2900.

Abstract

Using extensive direct numerical simulations, the dynamics of laminar-turbulent fronts in pipe flow is investigated for Reynolds numbers between $Re=2000$ and $5500$. We here investigate the physical distinction between the fronts of weak and strong slugs both by analysing the turbulent kinetic energy budget and by comparing the downstream front motion to the advection speed of bulk turbulent structures. Our study shows that weak downstream fronts travel slower than turbulent structures in the bulk and correspond to decaying turbulence at the front. At $Re\simeq 2900$ the downstream front speed becomes faster than the advection speed, marking the onset of strong fronts. In contrast to weak fronts, turbulent eddies are generated at strong fronts by feeding on the downstream laminar flow. Our study also suggests that temporal fluctuations of production and dissipation at the downstream laminar-turbulent front drive the dynamical switches between the two types of front observed up to $Re\simeq 3200$.