Turbulent flows: statistical analysis and applications (1/1)

by Davide Modesti (Gran Sasso Science Institute)

Thursday 5 Jun 2025, 16:15 → Friday 27 Jun 2025, 15:45 Europe/Rome

Ex-ISEF/Building-Main Lecture Hall (GSSI)

Turbulent flows are prevalent in both natural and engineered systems, including the Earth's atmosphere, ocean currents, pipelines, aircraft, ships, and power plants. Despite their ubiquity, a complete mathematical theory for turbulent flows remains one of the unsolved problems in classical mechanics. This short course explores the flow physics and mathematical modeling of turbulent flows. We will review the incompressible and compressible Navier–Stokes equations, introduce the statistical description of turbulence, and address the closure problem of the mean flow equations. Kolmogorov’s theory of homogeneous isotropic turbulence will be presented. Shear turbulent flows, with a focus on wall-bounded turbulence, will also be discussed. Particular attention will be given to alternative derivations of the canonical law of the wall based on the classical arguments of Millikan and Prandtl. We will further discuss turbulence in physical and spectral space, to highlight the broadband nature of the problem and determine the most relevant length and time scales. Theoretical lectures will be complemented by practical sessions involving data analysis of turbulent flows from high-fidelity numerical simulations.

 

The course will begin in June and it will follow the schedule below:

 

Thu 5      16:15-17:45

Fri 6        10:45-12:15

Tue 10    14:15-15:45

Thu 12    14:15-15:45

Fri 13      14:15-15:45

Tue 17    14:15-15:45

Thu 19    14:15-15:45

Fri  20     14:15-15:45

Thu 26    14:15-15:45

Fri  27     14:15-15:45

 

Registration for the course is recommended to receive updates on course material and schedule.

 

Course References
Pope, S. B. Turbulent Flows. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
Davidson, P. A. Turbulence for Scientists and Engineers. Oxford University Press, 2015.