The stability of stratified rotating flows is investigated by means of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations in axisymmetric cylindrical and annular containers with both horizontal and sloping bottoms. The baroclinic current is initiated via incremental spin-up/down of a linearly stratified fluid by an abrupt change in the rotation rate of the system. Particular attention is given to the non-linear flow regime (finite Rossby numbers). It is found that axisymmetric spin-up current loses its azimuthal symmetry when the Burger number drops below unity, and breaks into a system of large-scale cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices with predominantly vertical axis of rotation. Eddies always develop at the density fronts formed by the corner regions adjacent to the sidewalls of the container. It is shown that the stability of the spin-up flow is largely affected by the bottom slope and the structure of the bottom boundary layer.

Smirnov, S., Pacheco, R., Verzicco, R. (2008). Laboratory-numerical studies of stratified spin-up flows. ENVIRONMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS, 8(5), 535-541 [10.1007/s10652-008-9087-2].

Laboratory-numerical studies of stratified spin-up flows

VERZICCO, ROBERTO
2008-01-01

Abstract

The stability of stratified rotating flows is investigated by means of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations in axisymmetric cylindrical and annular containers with both horizontal and sloping bottoms. The baroclinic current is initiated via incremental spin-up/down of a linearly stratified fluid by an abrupt change in the rotation rate of the system. Particular attention is given to the non-linear flow regime (finite Rossby numbers). It is found that axisymmetric spin-up current loses its azimuthal symmetry when the Burger number drops below unity, and breaks into a system of large-scale cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices with predominantly vertical axis of rotation. Eddies always develop at the density fronts formed by the corner regions adjacent to the sidewalls of the container. It is shown that the stability of the spin-up flow is largely affected by the bottom slope and the structure of the bottom boundary layer.
2008
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
Settore ING-IND/06 - FLUIDODINAMICA
English
Con Impact Factor ISI
Rotation · Density stratification · Spin-up · Flow instability
Smirnov, S., Pacheco, R., Verzicco, R. (2008). Laboratory-numerical studies of stratified spin-up flows. ENVIRONMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS, 8(5), 535-541 [10.1007/s10652-008-9087-2].
Smirnov, S; Pacheco, R; Verzicco, R
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/52710
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