Forcing-informed resolvent analysis: Identification of input-output relations in self-sustained flows

Physics > Fluid Dynamics [Submitted on 18 Jun 2026] Title:Forcing-informed resolvent analysis: Identification of input-output relations in self-sustained flows View PDFAbstract:We present a forcing-informed (FI) resolvent analysis framework to identify input-output relations for statistically stationary self-sustained unsteady flows. The central idea of this method is to inform the resolvent operator about the spatiotemporal structures of the nonlinear terms that act as exogenous forcing with respect to the mean flow. To construct the FI resolvent operator, we estimate the basis vectors for the input subspace spanned by forcing snapshots and, similarly, for the output subspace, from simulation data. The extracted FI response and forcing modes are expressed through the estimated bases of the output and input subspaces, respectively, and the singular values of the FI resolvent operator correspond to the actual output amplitudes. These properties ensure that the extracted modes are consistent with the actual self-sustained flow fields. Additionally, the forcing snapshots can be used to construct the linear operator, enabling a fully data-driven FI resolvent analysis. The proposed framework is validated using the Stuart-Landau oscillator and demonstrated for a two-dimensional cylinder wake and a three-dimensional transitional boundary layer. We successfully identify the gains and the corresponding pairs of forcing and response modes, even at frequencies where the nonlinear amplification mechanism is crucial. Furthermore, leveraging the balance between the time-averaged energy amplification/attenuation by the linear operator and nonlinear forcing, we introduce a nonlinear energy transfer map that identifies the spatial domains where the extracted forcing mode injects or removes fluctuation energy, thereby providing key physical insight into the self-sustaining mechanisms. Current browse context: physics.flu-dyn Change to browse by: References & Citations Loading... Bibliographic and Citation Tools Bibliographic Explorer (What is the Explorer?) Connected Papers (What is Connected Papers?) Litmaps (What is Litmaps?) scite Smart Citations (What are Smart Citations?) Code, Data and Media Associated with this Article alphaXiv (What is alphaXiv?) CatalyzeX Code Finder for Papers (What is CatalyzeX?) DagsHub (What is DagsHub?) Gotit.pub (What is GotitPub?) Hugging Face (What is Huggingface?) ScienceCast (What is ScienceCast?) Demos Recommenders and Search Tools Influence Flower (What are Influence Flowers?) CORE Recommender (What is CORE?) arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them. Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.