Comment on “Compressibility effects on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of three layers” [Phys. Fluids 19, 096103 (2007)]

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 029103 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Livescu
Keyword(s):  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
Compressibility Effects

Compressibility effects in Rayleigh–Taylor instability-induced flows

2010 ◽  
Vol 368 (1916) ◽  
pp. 1681-1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gauthier ◽  
B. Le Creurer
Keyword(s):  
Compressible Flows ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Density Fluctuations ◽  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Turbulent Regime ◽  
Developed Turbulence ◽  
Perfect Fluids ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
Compressibility Effects

We present a tentative review of compressibility effects in Rayleigh–Taylor instability-induced flows. The linear, nonlinear and turbulent regimes are considered. We first make the classical distinction between the static compressibility or stratification, and the dynamic compressibility owing to the finite speed of sound. We then discuss the quasi-incompressible limits of the Navier–Stokes equations (i.e. the low-Mach number, anelastic and Boussinesq approximations). We also review some results about stratified compressible flows for which instability criteria have been derived rigorously. Two types of modes, convective and acoustic, are possible in these flows. Linear stability results for perfect fluids obtained from an analytical approach, as well as viscous fluid results obtained from numerical approaches, are also reviewed. In the turbulent regime, we introduce Chandrasekhar’s observation that the largest structures in the density fluctuations are determined by the initial conditions. The effects of compressibility obtained by numerical simulations in both the nonlinear and turbulent regimes are discussed. The modifications made to statistical models of fully developed turbulence in order to account for compressibility effects are also treated briefly. We also point out the analogy with turbulent compressible Kelvin–Helmholtz mixing layers and we suggest some lines for further investigations.

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