Probing structures in channel flow through SO ( 3 ) and SO ( 2 ) decomposition

SO(3) and SO(2) decompositions of numerical channel flow turbulence are performed. The decompositions are used to probe, characterize, and quantify anisotropic structures in the flow. Close to the wall the anisotropic modes are dominant and reveal the flow structures. The SO(3) decomposition does not converge for large scales as expected. However, in the shear buffer layer it also does not converge for small scales, reflecting the lack of small scales isotropization in that part of the channel flow.