The numerical analysis of turbulent free jet flows.

During the past two decades, the dual development of the Generalised Discrete Methods of numerical analysis and the electronic digital computer has had an enormous impact on the field of engineering analysis. Its influence has been particularly evident in the field of linear structural analysis. The success of these methods, particularly that of the Ritz Finite Element Method, has aroused growing interest in their utilisation in the field of fluid mechanics. The proposed study is concerned with the application of a Generalised Discrete, or Finite Element, method of analysis to free turbulent jet flows.This problem was considered to be appropriate for several reasons. First, a jet of fluid entrains and mixes with another fluid in a number of important engineering applications. Examples of these are legion and include their utilisation in the combustion chamber and other components of the reaction engine, the control of boundary layer seperation, film cooling in rocket and jet engines, various fluidic devices, ejector pumps and gas burners. Second, besides being of practical engineering significance, the free turbulent jet . represents the simplest form of turbulence in which the effects of viscosity due to the presence of a solid wall have no influence. Third, the assumptions of modest non-homogeneity and high Reynolds number made in the proposed model of turbulence are satisfied. Finally, there is considerable data, both theoretical and experimental, with which to compare numerical results.The proposed study entails the development of a standardised numerical approach to the solution of free turbulent jet flow problems* Particular emphasis is placed, on the free plane turbulent jet from which further free jet studies may be extrapolated. Also included are corroborative experimental data and results obtained from alternative approaches to the problem.