Onset of nonlinearity in oscillatory flow through a hexagonal sphere pack

We simulated laminar flow through a hexagonal sphere pack driven by a sinusoidal volume force using direct numerical simulation. We vary two independent parameters, the Hagen and Womersley numbers, representing the amplitude and frequency of the forcing. First, we determine for which regions in the parameter space nonlinear effects have to be considered. We judge the presence of nonlinear effects from the departure of the superficial velocity and kinetic energy from a linear behaviour as well as from the presence of higher harmonics in the discrete Fourier transform of the velocity field. We discuss the asymptotic behaviour of the onset of nonlinearity in the limits of low and high Womersley number, and we delineate approximately the parameter region that can be described using the linear theory. Second, we document the changes of instantaneous velocity fields with Hagen and Womersley numbers. We show that the onset of nonlinearity is accompanied by a loss of fore–aft symmetry of the flow, and subsequently, we employ the deviation from this symmetry to quantify the strength of nonlinear effects in the instantaneous velocity fields. Based on this analysis, we demonstrate that for higher Womersley numbers, the strongest nonlinear effects occur during the deceleration of the superficial velocity; consequently, the development of the nonlinearity is not in phase with the superficial velocity. Finally, we describe the leading-order nonlinear effects in the frequency domain and the interaction among the nonlinear Fourier modes that leads to a temporal variation in the strength of nonlinear effects.