Localized layers of turbulence in stratified horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical analysis of the instability developing in horizontally sheared Poiseuille flow, when stratification extends along the vertical direction. Our study builds on the previous work that originally detected the linear instability of such a configuration, by means of experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical simulations (Le Gal et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 907, 2021, R1). We extend this investigation beyond linear theory, investigating nonlinear regimes with direct numerical simulations. We find that the flow loses its vertical homogeneity through a secondary bifurcation, due to harmonic resonances, and describe this symmetry-breaking mechanism in the vicinity of the instability threshold. When departing from this limit, we observe a series of bursting events that break down the flow into disordered motions driven by localized shear instabilities. This intermittent dynamics leads to the coexistence of horizontal localized layers of stratified turbulence surrounded by quiescent regions of meandering waves.