Decay of two-dimensional homogeneous turbulence

Abstract

The decay of two-dimensional, homogeneous, isotropic, incompressible turbulence is investigated both by means of numerical simulation (in spectral as well as in grid-point form), and theoretically by use of the direct-interaction approximation and the test-field model. The calculations cover the range of Reynolds numbers 50 ≤ RL ≤ 100. Comparison of spectral methods with finite-difference methods shows that one of the former with a given resolution is equivalent in accuracy to one of the latter with twice the resolution. The numerical simulations at the larger Reynolds numbers suggest that earlier reported simulations cannot be used in testing inertial-range theories. However, the large-scale features of the flow field appear to be remarkably independent of Reynolds number.The direct-interaction approximation is in satisfactory agreement with simulations in the energy-containing range, but grossly underestimates enstrophy transfer at high wavenumbers. The latter failing is traced to an inability to distinguish between convection and intrinsic distortion of small parcels of fluid. The test-field model on the other hand appears to be in excellent agreement with simulations at all wavenumbers, and for all Reynolds numbers investigated.