MEK9400 – Theory of Hydrodynamic Stability

Course content

The Orr-Sommerfeld equation, stability of linear flow, stability criteria for inertial stability, stability of stratified flows, Couette flow, Poiseuille flow and boundary layer flow, stability of flow between coaxial rotating cylinders, stability criteria for the onset of thermal convection, non-linear effects, the Landau equation, transition to turbulence.

Learning outcome

To provide an introduction to the theory of hydrodynamic stability. The course can be used in a master or doctoral study in fluid mechanics, oceanography, meteorology or branches of physics and astro