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151-0109-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-CHAB , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ERDW , D-MATH , D-ITET

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Turbulent Flows

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Patrick Jenny

VVZ CR 2.1

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:30:28

Abstract

Laminar and turbulent flows, instability and origin of turbulence - Statistical description: averaging, turbulent energy, dissipation, closure problem - Scalings. Homogeneous isotropic turbulence, correlations, Fourier representation, energy spectrum - Free turbulence: wake, jet, mixing layer - Wall turbulence: Channel and boundary layer - Computation and modelling of turbulent flows

Objective

Basic physical phenomena of turbulent flows, quantitative and statistical description, basic and averaged equations, principles of turbulent flow computation and elements of turbulence modelling

Content

- Properties of laminar, transitional and turbulent flows. - Origin and control of turbulence. Instability and transition. - Statistical description, averaging, equations for mean and fluctuating quantities, closure problem. - Scalings, homogeneous isotropic turbulence, energy spectrum. - Turbulent free shear flows. Jet, wake, mixing layer. - Wall-bounded turbulent flows. - Turbulent flow computation and modeling.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes are available

Literature

S.B. Pope, Turbulent Flows, Cambridge University Press, 2000

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 120 minutes
Aids: Part A: No written aids allowedPart B: Lecture notes (script) of the course and 8 pages (A4) of own notes on the subject (handwritten or typed) are allowed

Written examination with two parts

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Turbulent Flows	Thu 08:15-10:00 (ML E 12)	2 h weekly
exercise	Turbulent Flows	Thu 13:15-14:00 (ML E 12)	1 h weekly

Offered In

Computational Science and Engineering Bachelor
- Additional Electives from the Fields of Specialization (CSE Master)
Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
- Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2022)
  - Focus Specialization
    - Sustainable Energy and Processes (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Mark Tibbitt In order to achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Sustainable Energy and Processes you need to pass at least 2 core courses (W+) and at least 2 of the elective courses, according to the presentation of the Focus Specialization. An additional course, if needed, can be selected among the courses offered by D-MAVT (151-…).)
Physics Bachelor
- Electives
Mechanical Engineering Master
- Core Courses
Computational Science and Engineering Master
- Fields of Specialization
  - Fluid Dynamics (One of the course units 151-0103-00L Fluid Dynamics II 151-0109-00L Turbulent Flows is compulsory. Students able to follow courses in German are advised to choose 151-0103-00L Fluid Dynamics II.)
Chemical and Bioengineering Master
- Electives
  - Systems and Process Engineering
Space Systems Master
- Deep Track Courses (At least 20 credits must be completed within the deep track courses. Surplus credit points can be counted towards the electives.)
  - Aerospace Engineering
    - Deep Track Aerospace Engineering (These courses can be credited either as a specialization subject or as an elective subject.)