Simple invariant solutions embedded in 2D Kolmogorov turbulence

Abstract

We consider long simulations of 2D Kolmogorov turbulence body-forced by $\sin4y \ex$ on the torus $(x,y) \in [0,2\pi]^2$ with the purpose of extracting simple invariant sets or `exact recurrent flows' embedded in this turbulence. Each recurrent flow represents a sustained closed cycle of dynamical processes which underpins the turbulence. These are used to reconstruct the turbulence statistics in the spirit of Periodic Orbit Theory derived for certain types of low dimensional chaos. The approach is found to be reasonably successful at a low value of the forcing where the flow is close to but not fully in its asymptotic (strongly) turbulent regime. Here, a total of 50 recurrent flows are found with the majority buried in the part of phase space most populated by the turbulence giving rise to a good reproduction of the energy and dissipation probability density functions. However, at higher forcing amplitudes now in the asymptotic turbulent regime, the generated turbulence data set proves insufficiently long to yield enough recurrent flows to make viable predictions. Despite this, the general approach seems promising providing enough simulation data is available since it is open to extensive automation and naturally generates dynamically important exact solutions for the flow.