Onset of turbulence in channel flows with scale-invariant roughness

TL;DR

This study uses 3D simulations to explore how scale-invariant wall roughness influences the transition to turbulence in channel flows, revealing critical Reynolds numbers and the nature of flow onset.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized Forchheimer law for friction factor dependence and identifies critical Reynolds numbers for flow transition based on roughness amplitude.

Findings

Friction factor follows a generalized Forchheimer law.

Transition occurs at a critical Reynolds number depending on roughness.

Flow transition is closely linked to flow in open fractures.

Abstract

Using 3D direct numerical simulations of the Navier--Stokes equations, we study the effect of wall roughness on the onset of turbulence in channel flow. The dependence of the friction factor on the Reynolds number, $\mathrm{Re}$, is found to follow a generalized Forchheimer law, which interpolates between the laminar and inertial asymptotes. The transition between these two asymptotes occurs at a first critical $\mathrm{Re}$, $\mathrm{Re}_{\mathrm{c}}$, that depends nontrivially on the roughness amplitude. We identify the transition from subcritical to supercritical onset by looking at the dependence of the velocity fluctuations on Re for different roughness amplitudes. We find that this second critical $\mathrm{Re}$ is comparable in magnitude to $\mathrm{Re}_{\mathrm{c}}$, implying that transitional flow is an integral part of flow in open fractures when $\mathrm{Re}$ and the roughness amplitude are sufficiently high.