Unsteady Turbulent Flow with Sudden Pressure Gradient Change

Direct numerical simulations are performed for a turbulent flow subjected to a sudden change in pressure gradient. The calculations are started from a fully-developed turbulent channel flow at $Re_{\tau}=180$. The pressure gradient of the channel flow is then changed abruptly. The responses of the turbulence quantities (e.g., turbulence intensities, Reynolds shear stress, and vorticity fluctuations) and the near-wall turbulence structure to the pressure gradient change are investigated. It is found that there are two different relaxations: a fast relaxation at the early stage and a slow one at the later stage. The early response of the velocity fluctuations shows an anisotropic response of the near-wall turbulence.