English

Anomalous spectral laws in differential models of turbulence

Fluid Dynamics 2015-05-28 v2 Mathematical Physics math.MP Exactly Solvable and Integrable Systems

Abstract

Differential models for hydrodynamic, passive-scalar and wave turbulence given by nonlinear first- and second-order evolution equations for the energy spectrum in the kk-space were analysed. Both types of models predict formation an anomalous transient power-law spectra. The second-order models were analysed in terms of self-similar solutions of the second kind, and a phenomenological formula for the anomalous spectrum exponent was constructed using numerics for a broad range of parameters covering all known physical examples. The first-order models were examined analytically, including finding an analytical prediction for the anomalous exponent of the transient spectrum and description of formation of the Kolmogorov-type spectrum as a reflection wave from the dissipative scale back into the inertial range. The latter behaviour was linked to pre-shock/shock singularities similar to the ones arising in the Burgers equation. Existence of the transient anomalous scaling and the reflection-wave scenario are argued to be a robust feature common to the finite-capacity turbulence systems. The anomalous exponent is independent of the initial conditions but varies for for different models of the same physical system.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1502.06750,
  title  = {Anomalous spectral laws in differential models of turbulence},
  author = {Simon Thalabard and Sergey Nazarenko and Sebastien Galtier and Sergey Medvedev},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1502.06750},
  year   = {2015}
}