Introduction to
Turbulent Flows
Dr. ARNAB SARKAR
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
IIT (BHU), VARANASI, UP
Definition of Turbulent Flows
Turbulent flow is characterized by irregularity or randomness in flow
Very high diffusivity Provides rapid mixing
Inherently 3D in nature
Reynolds Experiment
In 1883, Osborne Reynolds conducted experiments with pipe flow with a thin thread of
liquid dye which was fed into the fluid stream.
Reynolds conducted experiments with different pipe diameters as well as flow properties.
Laminar vs Turbulent flow
Laminar flow: The highly ordered fluid motion
characterized by smooth layers of fluid. The flow of
high-viscosity fluids such as oils at low velocities is
typically laminar. (low Re)
Turbulent flow: The highly disordered fluid motion
that typically occurs at high velocities and is
characterized by velocity fluctuations. The flow of
low-viscosity fluids such as air at high velocities is
typically turbulent. (high Re)
𝜌 𝐷𝑉
Transitional flow: A flow that alternates between 𝑅𝑒=
𝜇
being laminar and turbulent. (Re = 1700-2300)
Concept of Critical Reynolds
Number
If the value of Reynolds number(Re) is less than the critical value () any
disturbance created in the flow will die out and flow will be laminar
only.
However, if Re is above its critical value any disturbance in the flow
may get amplified and the flow will become turbulent .
For flow through pipes the value of is around 2300.
Temporal Trend of Velocity
Average velocity – not changing with time Average velocity- changing with time
Interpretations of Statistical
Averaging
Consider any variable in turbulent flow be Φ
Intensity of Turbulence
Defined as the root mean square value of the fluctuating components with
respect to the time averaged mean velocity.
Reynold’s Decomposition
Continuity Equation:
Navier Stokes Equation for
Turbulent Flow
𝜌 ( 𝜕𝒖
𝜕𝑡 ) 2
+ 𝒖⋅∇ 𝒖 =− ∇ 𝑝+ 𝜇 ∇ 𝑢 +∇ ⋅ 𝝈 𝑻
Reynold’s Stress Tensor
These additional stresses are known as Apparent Stresses of Turbulent
flow or Reynold’s Stresses.
Turbulence Scale (derived from Energy
Cascade Theory)
Velocity Profiles
Prandtl’s Mixing Length Model
Continued….
Continued….
For a plane Couette flow
Universal Velocity
Defect Law of
Friction velocity Prandtl
Continued….
Variation of non-dimensional velocity defect in channel cross-section
Continued
For smooth
pipe
For rough
pipe
For pipe to be
Universal Velocity considered
Profile smooth
Turbulent Boundary Layer
Velocity distribution in turbulent
boundary layer
Wall’s Logarithmic Law
Friction Factor
Colebrook and White
Friction factor
for 𝑅𝑒 → ∞
For a flat plate
Fully Turbulent flow in a Pipe
Moody’s Diagram
Variation of
friction factor
with Reynolds
number
Reference
Som, S.K., Biswas, G., Chakraborty, S. (2017). Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Machines, 3e.
Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
Kundu, P.K., Cohen, I.M., Dowling, D.R., (2015). Fluid Mechanics, 6e. McGraw-Hill.
Davidson, P. A. (2015). Turbulence: an Introduction for Scientists and Engineers. 2e, Oxford university
press.
Thank You
