Large eddy simulation of complex turbulent flows: Physical aspects and research trends

In the current paper, we have primarily addressed one powerful simulation tool developed during the last decades—Large Eddy Simulation (LES), which is most suitable for unsteady three-dimensional complex turbulent flows in industry and natural environment. The main point in LES is that the large-scale motion is resolved while the small-scale motion is modeled or, in geophysical terminology, parameterized. With a view to devising a subgrid-scale(SGS) model of high quality, we have highlighted analyzing physical aspects in scale interaction and energy transfer such as dissipation, backscatter, local and non-local interaction, anisotropy and resolution requirement. They are the factors responsible for where the advantages and disadvantages in existing SGS models come from. A case study on LES of turbulence in vegetative canopy is presented to illustrate that LES model is more based on physical arguments. Then, varieties of challenging complex turbulent flows in both industry and geophysical fields in the near future are presented. In conclusion, we may say with confidence that new century shall see the flourish in the research of turbulence with the aid of LES combined with other approaches. The NSAF project supported by the NSFC and the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (10176032)