Utilization of Fourier decomposition for analyzing time-periodic flows (Q1905628)

Complex time-dependent flows are analyzed by utilizing Fourier decomposition. For many laminar flows, it is observed that less than 10 modes (amplitude and phase angle) can accurately reconstruct the solution in the physical domain. Nonlinear interactions for higher modes give rise to strong steady streaming, and propagating flow structures can be identified by their pattern of amplitude and phase angles. These notions are tested by considering two examples: the external self-excited vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder, and the internal pulsatile flow in a constricted channel.