RAPID DISTORTION THEORY FOR COMPRESSIBLE HOMOGENEOUS TURBULENCE UNDERISOTROPIC MEAN STRAIN

Isotropic compressible turbulence subjected to rapid isotropic compres sion is studied using inviscid rapid distortion theory (RDT) and direc t numerical simulation. An exact solution to the rapid distortion prob lem is given. Comparisons are made between the simulation results and the RDT solution, as well as previously studied limiting cases of the RDT solution. The comparisons illustrate the range of applicability of the RDT solutions. Implications for the use of RDT results in modelin g compressible turbulent flows are briefly discussed. (C) 1996 America n Institute of Physics.