Linear Stability Analysis and Coherent Structure Identification for a Stratified Bickley Jet

This project will involve the application of the methods of linear stability analysis to a type of canonical stratified shear flow known as a Bickley jet in order to identify dynamically relevant processes (manifested as “coherent structures”) and gain insight into turbulent mixing in the oceans and other geophysical flow regimes. The objectives of the project will be to develop a linear stability analysis code which builds on and broadens the scope of previous work, determine unstable regions of the flow where a transition to turbulence might take place, physically interpret the structures identified through linear stability analysis, and investigate non-linear evolution using the DIABLO Direct Numerical Simulation code. The hoped-for outcome is insight into turbulent mixing, especially as it occurs in the oceans, which will help to improve, for example, climate-change modelling.

Faculty Supervisor:

Qi Zhou

Student:

Partner:

University of Cambridge

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Calgary

Program: