On the role of accelerating fluid particles in the generation of Reynolds stress

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Abstract
The connection between Reynolds stress and the kinematical and dynamical processes associated with streamwise fluid particle accelerations in the near-wall region of a fully developed channel flow is investigated. Visualizations of the particle paths contributing most significantly to Reynolds stress via such accelerations show them to be linked with spiraling motions in the cores of vortical structures tilted in the streamwise direction. This contrasts with the action of vortices in sweep and ejection events in which transport occurs through the displacement of fluid particles. A conceptual model for Reynolds stress generation by acceleration transport is suggested and the relative importance of pressure and viscous forces is computed. It is found that viscous forces play the dominant role until y+≳40 at which point pressure forces become most significant.

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