Hierarchical coupled map lattices as cascade models for hydrodynamical turbulence

¹ Institut für Theoretische Physik, RWTH Aachen Templergraben 55, 52056 Aachen, Germany
² School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College University of London - Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, England

Received: 15 June 1998
Accepted: 21 December 1998

Abstract

We consider hierarchical coupled map lattices as models for hydrodynamical turbulence at large Reynolds numbers. These lattice dynamical systems allow for an efficient simulation of spatio-temporal stochastic processes that have properties similar to those of fully developed turbulent flows. Relative scaling exponents and probability densities are calculated. They are in very good agreement with turbulence experiments. Some visualisations of spatio-temporal flow patterns are presented.