A direct numerical simulation at resolution 2403 is used to obtain a statistically stationary three-dimensional homogeneous and isotropic turbulent field at a Reynolds number around 1000 (Rλ ≈ 150). The energy spectrum displays an inertial subrange. The velocity derivative distribution, known to be strongly non-Gaussian, is found to be close to, but not, exponential. The nth-order moments of this distribution, as well as the velocity structure functions, do not scale with n as predicted by intermittency models. Visualization of the flow confirms the previous finding that the strongest vorticity is organized in very elongated thin tubes. The width of these tubes is of the order of a few dissipation scales, while their length can reach the integral scale of the flow.

Analysis of data from a direct simulation of statistically steady homogeneous turbulence suggests that the vorticity tubes, which constitute the main structure of the vorticity field, are produced by shear instabilities. This is confirmed by a decay calculation, in which vorticity sheets appear at first, and then roll up to form the first tubes. These instabilities seem to be at least as important as vortex stretching in transferring energy from large to small scales.

Direct numerical simulations of the three-dimensional Euler equations at resolutions up to 2563 for general periodic flows and 8643 for the symmetric Taylor-Green vortex are presented. The spontaneous emergence of flat pancakelike structures that shrink exponentially in time is observed. A simple self-similar model that fits these observations is discussed. Focusing instabilities similar to those leading to streamwise vortices in the context of free shear layers [J. Fluid Mech. 143, 253 (1984)], are expected to subsequently concentrate the vorticity and produce isolated vortex filaments. A finite time singularity for the Euler equation is not excluded as the result of interactions among these filaments. 'CT. Bardos and U. Frisch, "R6gularitt d'un fluide parfait de donnkes

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