Turbulence and Random Processes in Fluid Mechanics

Fluid flow turbulence is a phenomenon of great importance in many fields of engineering and science. It presents some of the most difficult problems both in the fundamental understanding of its physics and in applications, many of which are still unresolved. Turbulence and related areas have therefore continued to be subjects of intensive research over a period that has lasted for more than a century, and the interest in this field shows no signs of abatement.

In recognition of the need for helping graduate students prepare for their own research in this and related areas of fluid dynamics, a course with the cover title was started by one of us (E. M.-C.) some 20 years ago. Our joint efforts in producing a set of notes for this course has resulted in the present book. The course and its subject matter has evolved over this time period of teaching a mixed group of students from all fields of engineering and from many areas of science, including astrophysics, physics, chemistry, applied mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, and occasionally biology and physiology. With students of such widely different backgrounds we could not assume much commonality in preparation beyond the basics. Hence we found it necessary to start each topic at a fundamental level, and very few concepts could be borrowed from common professional experiences. Many of the students in the course were looking for a thesis topic or needed more insight into turbulence in support of their ongoing research. Discussions with students have resulted in the start of successful research subjects in many instances.

The main aim of the book is to give the students the background enabling them to follow the literature and understand current research results. The book stresses fundamental concepts and basic methods and approaches, although attempting to introduce some recent ideas that we think will prove important in future work on turbulence and related fields. The flavor of a course based on this book will be strongly dependent on the instructor and on the emphasis and the examples of research results chosen for presentation, since the book in itself is not a complete course. Reading of the literature and monographs are also needed.