REU: Analyze Turbulence Data - 2021

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Project

Topic: Wavelet-Based Scaling Assessment and Applications

Date: Feb 2021 - April 2021

Faculty: Dr. Brani Vidakovic (Statistics Department Head at Texas A&M University)

Objective

The objective of this analysis is to determine whether the turbulence data are mono-fractal.

Background

Definition

A turbulent flow is characterized by the value of its Reynolds number, a dimensionless parameter that quantifies the ratio of inertial to viscous forces. If the Reynolds number is small, the flow is laminar. With an increase of the Reynolds number, the flow becomes unstable, and when the Reynolds number exceeds a given threshold it becomes fully turbulent. 

Major Problem

"Turbulence: motion of fluids in which the local velocities and pressures fluctuate irregularly: Most flows observed in nature such as rivers and wind are turbulent. [...] The essential characteristic of turbulent flow is that the fluctuations are unpredictable." - The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology

Measurements

Data Visualization

Mono-Fractal Diagram

Multi-Fractal Diagram

Conclusion