The Turbulence Structure of Compressible Boundary Layers using Pattern Recognition and Tracking Algorithms in DNS data

We use a direct numerical simulation database (Martin, JFM 2006) of compressible turbulent boundary layers to develop tracking algorithms for the turbulence structures. We use the pattern recognition and tracking algorithm of Wang and Silver (IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 1997) and incorporate the criteria used by Ringuette et al. (AIAA 2006-3539) to identify and characterize turbulence structures individually and in packets. In turn, the evolution of small and large coherent turbulence structures in space and time is visually monitored and the effects of Mach number and local compressibility are studied.