Resolvent analysis of stratification effects on wall-bounded shear flows

Abstract

The resolvent framework for the Navier-Stokes equations with the Boussinesq approximation was applied to a stratified turbulent boundary layer. The results show that despite using only a very limited range of representative scales, the resolvent model was able to reproduce the relative magnitude of turbulence intensities and the balance of the energy budget as well as provide meaningful analysis of structures in the flow. The resolvent response modes were able to predict the relative variation in turbulence intensities as a function of wall-normal distance and Richardson number (Ri${}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$) for the Ri${}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ under consideration in this study.