Secondary instability as a possible mechanism for clear-air turbulence: a case study

Venkatesh, TN and Mathew, Joseph and Nanjundiah, Ravi S (2014) Secondary instability as a possible mechanism for clear-air turbulence: a case study. In: METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS, 126 (3-4). pp. 139-160.

PDF met_atm_phy_126_139_2014.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (8MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Many theories and mechanisms have been proposed to explain the phenomenon of clear-air turbulence (CAT), and some of them have been successful in predicting light, moderate and, in some cases, severe turbulence. It is only recently that skill in the forecasting of the severe form of CAT, which could lead to injuries to passengers and damage to aircraft, has improved. Recent observations and simulations suggest that some severe to extreme turbulence could be caused by horizontal vortex tubes resulting from secondary instabilities of regions of high shear in the atmosphere. We have conducted direct numerical simulations to understand the scale relationship between primary structures (larger-scale structures related to one of the causes mentioned above) and secondary structures (smaller-sized, shear structures of the size of aircraft). From shear layer simulations, we find that the ratio of sizes of primary and secondary vortices is of the right order to generate aircraft-scale vortex tubes from typical atmospheric shear layers. We have also conducted simulations with a mesoscale atmospheric model, to understand possible causes of turbulence experienced by a flight off the west coast of India. Our simulations show the occurrence of primary flow structures related to synoptic conditions around the time of the incident. The evidence presented for this mechanism also has implications for possible methods of detection and avoidance of severe CAT.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICS
Additional Information:	Copyrights for this articles belongs to the SPRINGER WIEN, SACHSENPLATZ 4-6, PO BOX 89, A-1201 WIEN, AUSTRIA
Department/Centre:	Division of Electrical Sciences > Computer Science & Automation Division of Mechanical Sciences > Aerospace Engineering(Formerly Aeronautical Engineering)
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2014 05:22
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2014 05:22
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/50432

Actions (login required)

View Item