Abstract

It is well known that thin axisymmetric particles such as fibers sedimenting in a quiescent medium with a Reynolds number of order unity (R_e ≈ 1) will align their symmetry axes perpendicular to their fall direction. It is not clear to what extent this behavior remains in effect when the particle is subject to the randomizing forces imposed by turbulence. The goal of this research is to establish a firm connection between the degree of horizontal orientation of a large ensemble of fibers in the atmospheric boundary layer and the mean kinetic energy density associated with the turbulent motion of the air.

© 1996 Optical Society of America