Measurement of the Propagation of Long-Wavelength Disturbances Through Turbulent Flow in Tubes

Abstract

Phase velocities and attenuation factors for the propagation of small amplitude long wavelength sinusoidal disturbances, measured in a tube with turbulent liquid flow, are reported. Three frequency bands are delineated. A quasi-steady-flow model, based primarily on friction-factor data, is corroborated at low frequencies. An eddy-viscosity model, in which the energy of turbulence fails to respond in quasi-steady fashion to the sinusoidal disturbances, is corroborated at higher frequencies. In a predicted transition band unexpected and dramatic peaks in attenuation and phase velocity were found. A discussion suggests that the phenomenon may be related to deterministic aspects of turbulence production.