Triple decomposition of velocity gradient tensor in homogeneous isotropic turbulence

Abstract: The triple decomposition of a velocity gradient tensor is studied with direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence, where the velocity gradient tensor is decomposed into three components representing an irrotational straining motion. Strength of these motions can be quantified with the decomposed components. A procedure of the triple decomposition is proposed for three-dimensional flows, where the decomposition is applied in a basic reference frame identified by examining a finite number of reference frames obtained by three sequential rotational transformations of a Cartesian coordinate. Even though more than one basic reference frame may be available for the triple decomposition, the results of the decomposition depend little on the choice of basic reference frame. In homogeneous isotropic turbulence, regions with strong rigid-body rotations or straining motions are highly intermittent in space, while most flow regions exhibit moderately strong shearing motions in the absence of straining motions and rigid-body rotations. The shear tensor is also used for detecting intense shear layers.