The Essence of Turbulence as a Physical Phenomenon

This book critically reexamines turbulence. It includes critical assessments and a comparative analysis of the key developments, their evolution and failures, along with key misconceptions and outdated paradigms.

Now in its second edition, this book clearly, concisely and comprehensively outlines the essence of turbulence.

In view of the absence of a theory based on first principles and adequate tools to handle the problem, the essence of turbulence, i.e. what turbulence really is from a fundamental point of view, is understood empirically through observations from nature, laboratories and direct numerical simulations rather than explained by means of conventional formalistic aspects, models, etc., resulting in pertinent issues being described at a highly theoretical level in spite of the mentioned lack of theory.

As such, the book highlights and critically reexamines fundamental issues, especially those of paradigmatic nature, related to conceptual and problematic aspects, key misconceptions and unresolved matters, and discusses why the problem is so difficult. As in the previous edition, the focus on fundamental issues is also a consequence of the view that without corresponding advances in fundamental aspects there is little chance of progress in any applications. More generally there is a desperate need for physical fundamentals of a great variety of processes in nature and technology in which turbulence plays a central role. Turbulence is omnipresent throughout the natural sciences and technology, but despite the vast sea of information available the book retains its brevity without oversimplifications, making it of interest to a broad audience.

Is completely revised and updated Outlines the essence of turbulence clearly, concisely and comprehensively Includes critical assessments and a comparative analysis of the key developments, their evolution and failures, along with key misconceptions and outdated paradigms Written by an author with a background in physics, mathematics and engineering

Inhalt

PART 1: INTRODUCTION - The phenomenon and the problem of turbulence.- 1 The phenomenon of turbulence.- 2 The problem of turbulence.- 3 What equations describe turbulence adequately?.- PART 2: ISSUES OF PARADIGMATIC NATURE I - Origins and nature of turbulence.- 4 Origins of turbulence.- 5 Nature of turbulence.- 6 Additional issues of importance related to the use of statistical methods.- PART 3: ISSUES OF PARADIGMATIC NATURE II - Specific features.- 7 The N's of turbulence.- 8 Large Reynolds number behavior, Symmetries, Universality.- 9 Intermittency and Structure(s) of and/in turbulence.- 10 Epiloque.- 11 Apendix - Essential quotations.- Bibliography.- Author index.- Subject index.