Why Reynolds Stress vanishes on boundary of closed volume?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of Reynolds Stress (τRij) at the boundaries of a closed volume in fluid dynamics. It is established that Reynolds Stress vanishes at the boundary, leading to the conclusion that the integral of the divergence term over the closed volume equals zero. This implies that the two terms on the right side of the equation must balance globally. The divergence theorem is referenced as a crucial tool for understanding the implications of this behavior in control volumes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Reynolds Stress in fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with the divergence theorem
  • Basic knowledge of control volume analysis
  • Concept of time-averaged velocity in turbulent flow
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the divergence theorem in fluid mechanics
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of Reynolds Stress
  • Investigate control volume analysis techniques in turbulent flow
  • Learn about the physical interpretation of boundary conditions in fluid dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Fluid dynamics researchers, engineers analyzing turbulent flow, and students studying advanced fluid mechanics concepts will benefit from this discussion.

humphreybogart
Messages
22
Reaction score
1
The rate of working of the Reynolds Stress can be written as:

upload_2016-7-6_14-54-25.png


where ui is the fluctuating velocity and Ūi is the time-averaged velocity.

It is stated in the textbook that, if we integrate the above equation over a closed volume V, the divergence term on the left integrates to zero since τRij (Reynolds Stress) vanishes on the boundary. What does this mean?

The context is that, with this being zero, the author proves that globally, the integral over the closed volume of the two terms on the right must balance. Maybe if I understood the latter statement, I would understand this last sentence...?

Thanks
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Do you agree that the Reynolds stresses vanish at the boundary?
If yes, then what is the integral of the divergence of a quantity Q, when Q=0 at the boundary of the domain of integration? The divergence theorem will be helpful here.
Do you agree that the integral of the first term in the equation is zero?
 
bigfooted said:
Do you agree that the Reynolds stresses vanish at the boundary?
Not really. If we are considering a small control volume within the flow domain, then I don't see why it should 'vanish'. We could specify a whole grid of these control volumes throughout the whole flow domain – the idea that the Reynolds Stress 'vanishes' is confusing to me.

I understand that, if it does vanish on the boundary, then there can be no 'flux' of this quantity out of the control volume, and hence the surface integral would be zero, and from div. theorem, the volume integral would be zero too.

If my above statement is correct, then it's the physical concept of this quantity (or indeed any other) 'vanishing' on the boundary that I don't understand.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
33K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
404
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K