Rapid Distortion Theory and the structure of turbulence

This is a review of how, when linear distortions are applied to turbulent velocity fields, certain changes to some or all components of the turbulence can be calculated using linear theory. Important examples of such distortions are mean and random straining motions, body forces, interactions with other flows (eg. waves). This theory is usually known as Rapid Distortion Theory (RDT) because it is valid for all kinds of rapidly changing …