Karhunen–Loéve decomposition of high Reynolds number turbulent pipe flows: a Voronoi analysis

Abstract

Abstract We perform the Karhunen–Loéve decomposition of the data from direct numerical simulations pertaining to incompressible turbulent pipe flow at various Reynolds numbers, in order to identify large-scale coherent structures. A novel approach based on the Voronoi diagram is introduced to estimate the energy distribution along the radial direction as a function of the geometrical properties of the modes. In contrast to previous classifications, no user-defined criterion, threshold or ad-hoc separation of the eddies is required since the two most energetic branches are inherently present as the Reynolds number increases. Details about the Voronoi analysis are provided, together with a comprehensive validation and comparison with previous classifications at low Reynolds numbers. We discuss the results and potential of the presented approach at Reτ = 180 and 5200, commenting on the two classes of coherent structures with a varying and constant size in the radial direction appearing at Reτ = 5200.