A mathematical explanation of the transition between laminar and turbulent flow in Newtonian fluids, using the Lie groups and finite element methods

Abstract

In this scientific work, we use two effective methods : Lie groups theory and the finite element method, to explain why the transition from laminar flow to turbulence flow depends on the variation of the Reynolds number. We restrict ourselves to the case of incompressible viscous Newtonian fluid flows. Their governing equations, i.e. the continuity and Navier-Stokes equations are established and investigated. Their solutions are expressed explicitly thanks to Lie's theory. The stability theory, which leads to an eigenvalue problem is used together with the finite element method, showing a way to compute the critical Reynolds number, for which the transition to turbulence occurs. The stationary flow is also studied and a finite element method, the Newton method, is used to prove the stability of its convergence, which is guaranteed for small variations of the Reynolds number.