On the relationship between manipulated inter-scale phase and energy-efficient turbulent drag reduction

Abstract

We investigate the role of inter-scale interactions in the high-Reynolds-number skin-friction drag reduction strategy reported by Marusic et al. (Nat. Commun., vol. 12, 2021). The strategy involves imposing relatively low-frequency streamwise travelling waves of spanwise velocity at the wall to actuate the drag generating outer scales. This approach has proven to be more energy efficient than the conventional method of directly targeting the drag producing inner scales, which typically requires actuation at higher frequencies. Notably, it is observed that actuating the outer scales at low frequencies leads to a substantial attenuation of the major drag producing inner scales, suggesting that..