Large-scale streak instabilities of transitional channel flow

The emergence of large-scale spatial modulations of turbulent channel flow, as the Reynolds number is decreased, is addressed numerically using the framework of linear stability analysis. Such modulations are known as the precursors of laminar–turbulent patterns found near the onset of relaminarisation. A synthetic two-dimensional base flow is constructed by adding finite-amplitude streaks to the turbulent mean flow. The streak mode is chosen as the leading resolvent mode from linear response theory. In addition, turbulent fluctuations can be taken into account or not by using a simple Cess eddy viscosity model. The linear stability of the base flow is considered by searching for unstable eigenmodes with wavelengths larger than the base flow streaks. As the streak amplitude is increased in the presence of the turbulent closure, the base flow loses its stability to a large-scale modulation below a critical Reynolds-number value. The structure of the corresponding eigenmode, its critical Reynolds number, its critical angle and its wavelengths are all fully consistent with the onset of turbulent modulations from the literature. The existence of a threshold value of the Reynolds number is directly related to the presence of an eddy viscosity, and is justified using an energy budget. The values of the critical streak amplitudes are discussed in relation with those relevant to turbulent flows.