Nonlinear dynamics of laminar-turbulent transition in three dimensional Rayleigh–Benard convection

This paper proposes a new approach to analysis of incompressible 3D fluid motion in Rayleigh–Benard convection in transition from laminar to turbulent regimes. Number of test series were conducted. The analysis indicated that in different test series laminar-turbulent transition follows either the subharmonic bifurcation cascade of two-dimensional tori or the subharmonic bifurcation cascade of limit cycles. Cycles up to the third period were found in the system that indicated the end of the Sharkovskii sequence. All bifurcation cascades agree with the Feigenbaum–Sharkovskii–Magnitskii (FSM) scenario.