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Fully 3D Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a Boussinesq fluid

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 10:19 authored by Stephen WaltersStephen Walters, Lawrence ForbesLawrence Forbes
Rayleigh–Taylor instability occurs when a heavier fluid overlies a lighter fluid, and the two seek to exchange positions under the effect of gravity. We present a linearized theory for arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) initial disturbances that grow in time, and calculate the evolution of the interface for early times. A new spectral method is introduced for the fully 3D nonlinear problem in a Boussinesq fluid, where the interface between the light and heavy fluids is approximated with a smooth but rapid density change in the fluid. The results of large-scale numerical calculation are presented in fully 3D geometry, and compared and contrasted with the early-time linearized theory.

Funding

Australian Research Council

History

Publication title

ANZIAM Journal

Volume

61

Pagination

286-304

ISSN

1446-1811

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Australian Mathematics Publ Assoc Inc

Place of publication

Mathematics Dept Australian National Univ, Canberra, Australia, Act, 0200

Rights statement

Copyright 2019 Australian Mathematical Society

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences

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