On harmonic perturbations in a turbulent mixing layer

Abstract A theoretical model of harmonic perturbations in a turbulent mixing layer is proposed. The model is based on the triple decomposition method. It is assumed that the instantaneous velocities and pressure consist of three distinctive components: the mean (time average), the coherent (phase average), and the random (turbulent) motion. The interaction between incoherent turbulent fluctuations and large-scale coherent disturbances is incorporated by the Newtonian eddy viscosity model. A slight divergence of the flow is also taken into account, and the results are compared with experimental data. For a high amplitude of the perturbations, the nonlinear feedback to the mean flow is taken into account by means of the coherent Reynolds stresses. The results reveal the possibility of a negative spreading rate of the mixing layer. A simultaneous consideration of the mean flow divergence and nonlinear self-interaction results in Landau-like amplitude equations. It is observed that the nonlinear term in the amplitude equation is not significant at the levels of amplitude considered. The velocity disturbance profiles of the second harmonic are also presented and, at low-level amplitude, they are in good agreement with experiments.