Richard J.A.M. Stevens

Physics of Fluids · University of Twente

Publication 13 · Thermal convection

Horizontal structures of velocity and temperature boundary layers in two-dimensional numerical turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Q. Zhou, K. Sugiyama, R.J.A.M. Stevens, S. Grossmann, D. Lohse, K.-Q. Xia, Phys. Fluids 23, 125104 (2011).

Main finding

The paper provides useful evidence that an instantaneous tangent-based coordinate regularizes local profile analysis across a complex 2D plate. Its PB agreement is a conditional processed-profile result, not a universal local law or independent validation of laminar boundary-layer theory.

Horizontal velocity along the plate crossing zero twice, dividing it into three regions
How to read the figure. Time-averaged horizontal velocity at a fixed height above the plate, against position along it. The velocity changes sign at two points, splitting the plate into three regions with opposing flow directions, so an average taken across the whole plate cancels contributions that point opposite ways. Open the full-resolution figure. Figure 2. Q. Zhou et al. (2011). No separate licence is stated here; consult the original publication and credited source before reuse.

Why this matters

A moving local thickness can prevent opposing flows from cancelling into a meaningless average layer.

Research context

Zhou et al. (2010) established centre-region dynamic collapse using four 2D DNS cases and experimental velocity evidence. The present paper adds horizontal structure in one 2D run, but uses the same code/method lineage and a near-matching Ra=10^8, Pr≈4.3–4.4 setup.

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