CONSTRAINED RANDOM-WALKS AND VORTEX FILAMENTS IN TURBULENCE THEORY

We consider a simplified model of vorticity configurations in the inertial range of turbulent flow, in which vortex filaments are viewed as random walks in thermal equilibrium subjected to the constraints of helicity and energy conservation. The model is simple enough so that its properties can be investigated by a relatively straightforward Monte-Carlo method: a pivot algorithm with Metropolis weighting. Reasonable values are obtained for the intermittency dimension D, a Kolmogorov-like exponent γ, and higher moments of the velocity derivatives. Qualitative conclusions are drawn regarding the origin of non-gaussian velocity statistics and regarding analogies with polymers and with systems near a critical point. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.