Large eddy simulation using a dynamic mixing length subgrid‐scale model

A novel dynamic mixing length (DML) subgrid‐scale model for large eddy simulations is proposed in this work to improve the cutoff length of the Smagorinsky model. The characteristic mixing length (or the characteristic wave number) is dynamically estimated for the subgrid‐scale fluctuation of turbulence by the cutoff wave‐number, k_c, and the dissipation wave‐number, k_d. The dissipation wave number is derived from the kinetic energy spectrum equation and the dissipation spectrum equation. To prove the promise of the DML model, this model is used to simulate the lid‐driven cubical cavity with max‐velocity‐based Reynolds numbers 8850 and 12,000, the channel flows with friction‐velocity‐based Reynolds numbers 180, 395, 590, and 950, and the turbulent flow past a square cylinder at the higher Reynolds number 21,400, respectively, compared with the Smagorinsky model and Germano et al.'s dynamic Smagorinsky model. Different numerical experiments with different Reynolds numbers show that the DML model can be used in simulations of flows with a wide range of Reynolds numbers without the occurrence of singular values. The DML model can alleviate the dissipation of the Smagorinsky model without the loss of its robustness. The DML model shows some advantages over Germano et al.'s dynamic Smagorinsky model in its high stability and simplicity of calculation because the coefficient of the DML model always stays positive. The characteristic mixing length in the DML model reflects the subgrid‐scale fluctuation of turbulence in nature and thus the characteristic mixing length has a spatial and temporal distribution in turbulent flow. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A general optimal formulation for the dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid‐scale stress model

In this paper, a general optimal formulation for the dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid‐scale (SGS) stress model is reported. The Smagorinsky constitutive relation has been revisited from the perspective of functional variation and optimization. The local error density of the dynamic Smagorinsky SGS model has been minimized directly to determine the model coefficient C_S. A sufficient and necessary condition for optimizing the SGS model is obtained and an orthogonal condition (OC), which governs the instantaneous spatial distribution of the optimal dynamic model coefficient, is formulated. The OC is a useful general optimization condition, which unifies several classical dynamic SGS modelling formulations reported in the literature. In addition, the OC also results in a new dynamic model in the form of a Picard's integral equation. The approximation tensorial space for the projected Leonard stress is identified and the physical meaning for several basic grid and test‐grid level tensors is systematically discussed. Numerical simulations of turbulent Couette flow are used to validate the new model formulation as represented by the Picard's integral equation for Reynolds numbers ranging from 1500 to 7050 (based on one half of the velocity difference of the two plates and the channel height). The relative magnitudes of the Smagorinsky constitutive parameters have been investigated, including the model coefficient, SGS viscosity and filtered strain rate tensor. In general, this paper focuses on investigation of fundamental mathematical and physical properties of the popular Smagorinsky constitutive relation and its related dynamic modelling optimization procedure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Surface‐sampled simulations of turbulent flow at high Reynolds number

A new approach to turbulence simulation, based on a combination of large eddy simulation (LES) for the whole flow and an array of non–space‐filling quasi‐direct numerical simulations (QDNS), which sample the response of near‐wall turbulence to large‐scale forcing, is proposed and evaluated. The technique overcomes some of the cost limitations of turbulence simulation, since the main flow is treated with a coarse‐grid LES, with the equivalent of wall functions supplied by the near‐wall sampled QDNS. Two cases are tested, at friction Reynolds number Re_τ=4200 and 20000. The total grid point count for the first case is less than half a million and less than 2 million for the second case, with the calculations only requiring a desktop computer. A good agreement with published direct numerical simulation (DNS) is found at Re_τ=4200, both in the mean velocity profile and the streamwise velocity fluctuation statistics, which correctly show a substantial increase in near‐wall turbulence levels due to a modulation of near‐wall streaks by large‐scale structures. The trend continues at Re_τ=20000, in agreement with experiment, which represents one of the major achievements of the new approach. A number of detailed aspects of the model, including numerical resolution, LES‐QDNS coupling strategy and subgrid model are explored. A low level of grid sensitivity is demonstrated for both the QDNS and LES aspects. Since the method does not assume a law of the wall, it can in principle be applied to flows that are out of equilibrium.     

Discrete filter operators for large‐eddy simulation using high‐order spectral difference methods

The combination of a high‐order unstructured spectral difference (SD) spatial discretization scheme with sub‐grid scale (SGS) modeling for large‐eddy simulation is investigated with particular focus on the consistent implementation of a structural mixed model based on the scale similarity hypothesis. The difficult task of deriving a consistent formulation for the discrete filter within the SD element of arbitrary order led to the development of a new class of three‐dimensional constrained discrete filters. The discrete filters satisfy a set of selected criteria and are completely local within the SD element. Their weights can be automatically computed at run time from the number of solution points within each element and the expected filter cutoff length scale. The novel discrete filters can be applied to any SGS model involving explicit filtering and to a broad class of high‐order discontinuous finite element numerical schemes. The code is applied to the computation of turbulent channel flows at three Reynolds numbers, namely Re_τ = 180, 395, and 590 (based on the friction velocity u_τ and channel half‐width δ). Results from computations with and without the SGS model are compared against results from direct numerical simulation. The numerical experiments suggest that the results are sensitive to the use of the SGS model, even when a high‐order numerical scheme is used, especially when the grid resolution is kept relatively low and mostly in terms of resolved Reynolds stresses. Results obtained using existing filters based on the projection of the solution over lower‐order polynomial bases are also shown and demonstrate that these filters are inadequate for SGS modeling purposes, mostly because of their inability to enforce the selected cutoff length scale with sufficient accuracy. The use of the similarity mixed formulation proved to be particularly accurate in reproducing SGS interactions, confirming that its well‐known potential can be realized in conjunction with state‐of‐the‐art high‐order numerical schemes.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐order discontinuous Galerkin spectral element methods for transitional and turbulent flow simulations

In this paper, we investigate the accuracy and efficiency of discontinuous Galerkin spectral method simulations of under‐resolved transitional and turbulent flows at moderate Reynolds numbers, where the accurate prediction of closely coupled laminar regions, transition and developed turbulence presents a great challenge to large eddy simulation modelling. We take full advantage of the low numerical errors and associated superior scale resolving capabilities of high‐order spectral methods by using high‐order ansatz functions up to 12th order. We employ polynomial de‐aliasing techniques to prevent instabilities arising from inexact quadrature of nonlinearities. Without the need for any additional filtering, explicit or implicit modelling, or artificial dissipation, our high‐order schemes capture the turbulent flow at the considered Reynolds number range very well. Three classical large eddy simulation benchmark problems are considered: a circular cylinder flow at Re_D=3900, a confined periodic hill flow at Re_h=2800 and the transitional flow over a SD7003 airfoil at Re_c=60,000. For all computations, the total number of degrees of freedom used for the discontinuous Galerkin spectral method simulations is chosen to be equal or considerably less than the reported data in literature. In all three cases, we achieve an equal or better match to direct numerical simulation results, compared with other schemes of lower order with explicitly or implicitly added subgrid scale models. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the influence of numerical schemes and subgrid–stress models on large eddy simulation of turbulent flow past a square cylinder

Influence of finite difference schemes and subgrid‐stress models on the large eddy simulation calculation of turbulent flow around a bluff body of square cylinder at a laboratory Reynolds number, has been examined. It is found that the type and the order of accuracy of finite‐difference schemes and the subgrid‐stress model for satisfactory results are dependent on each other, and the grid resolution and the Reynolds number. Using computational grids manageable by workstation‐level computers, with which the near‐wall region of the separating boundary layer cannot be resolved, central‐difference schemes of realistic orders of accuracy, either fully conservative or non‐conservative, suffer stability problems. The upwind‐biased schemes of third order and the Smagorinsky eddy‐viscosity subgrid model can give reasonable results resolving much of the energy‐containing turbulent eddies in the boundary layers and in the wake and representing the subgrid stresses in most parts of the flow. Noticeable improvements can be obtained by either using higher order difference schemes, increasing the grid resolution and/or by implementing a dynamic subgrid stress model, but each at a cost of increased computational time. For further improvements, the very small‐scale eddies near the upstream corners and in the laminar sublayers need to be resolved but would require a substantially larger number of grid points that are out of the range of easily accessible computers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the near‐wall behaviour of some self‐adaptive subgrid‐scale models in finite‐differenced simulations of channel flow

Self‐adaptive subgrid‐scale models are proposed and assessed. They are based on the use of the Germano–Lilly dynamic procedure and the use of a selection function. These models, which do not incorporate any information related to the location of the solid walls, are well suited for the simulation of turbulent flows in complex geometries. Their reliability, when used together with a second‐order non‐dissipative numerical method, is assessed on the plane channel configuration for two values of the Reynolds number (Reτ = 180 and 395) for two grid resolutions. The selection function approach for deriving self‐adaptive subgrid models is found to yield results very similar to those obtained using a dynamic model, without requiring any numerical stabilization procedure. The use of the selection function is shown to be the only one which is able to capture the backscatter process in the buffer layer, while producing a strictly positive subgrid viscosity. This is demonstrated to be linked to the capability of the selection function to permit a decorrelation between the mean strain and the fluctuations of the subgrid stresses. That point is illustrated thanks to the introduction of a new decomposition of the fluctuating strain subgrid dissipation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Shear‐improved Smagorinsky modeling of turbulent channel flow using generalized Lattice Boltzmann equation

Generalized Lattice Boltzmann equation (GLBE) was used for computation of turbulent channel flow for which large eddy simulation (LES) was employed as a turbulence model. The subgrid‐scale turbulence effects were simulated through a shear‐improved Smagorinsky model (SISM), which is capable of predicting turbulent near wall region accurately without any wall function. Computations were done for a relatively coarse grid with shear Reynolds number of 180 in a parallelized code. Good numerical stability was observed for this computational framework. The results of mean velocity distribution across the channel showed good correspondence with direct numerical simulation (DNS) data. Negligible discrepancies were observed between the present computations and those reported from DNS for the computed turbulent statistics. Three‐dimensional instantaneous vorticity contours showed complex vortical structures that appeared in such flow geometries. It was concluded that such a framework is capable of predicting accurate results for turbulent channel flow without adding significant complications and the computational cost to the standard Smagorinsky model. As this modeling was entirely local in space it was therefore adapted for parallelization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large eddy simulation of turbulent channel flow using an algebraic model

In this paper an algebraic model from the constitutive equations of the subgrid stresses has been developed. This model has an additional term in comparison with the mixed model, which represents the backscatter of energy explicitly. The proposed model thus provides independent modelling of the different energy transfer mechanisms, thereby capturing the effect of subgrid scales more accurately. The model is also found to depict the flow anisotropy better than the linear and mixed models. The energy transfer capability of the model is analysed for the isotropic decay and the forced isotropic turbulence. The turbulent plane channel flow simulation is performed over three Reynolds numbers, Re_τ=180, 395 and 590, and the results are compared with that of the dynamic model, Smagorinsky model, and the DNS data. Both the algebraic and dynamic models are in good agreement with the DNS data for the mean flow quantities. However, the algebraic model is found to be more accurate for the turbulence intensities and the higher‐order statistics. The capability of the algebraic model to represent backscatter is also demonstrated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DNS of backward‐facing step flow with fully turbulent inflow

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) has been performed to study the channel flow over a backward‐facing step at a Reynolds number Re_b=5600 based on the step height h and the inflow bulk velocity U_b. A dynamic method has been used in order to generate realistic turbulent inflow conditions. The results upstream of the step compared well with the fully developed channel flow. Downstream of the step our results show excellent agreement with experimental data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Time‐dependent turbulent cavitating flow computations with interfacial transport and filter‐based models

Turbulent cavitating flow computations need to address both cavitation and turbulence modelling issues. A recently developed interfacial dynamics‐based cavitation model (IDCM) incorporates the interfacial transport into the computational modelling of cavitation dynamics. For time‐dependent flows, it is known that the engineering turbulence closure such as the original k–ε model often over‐predicts the eddy viscosity values reducing the unsteadiness. A recently proposed filter‐based modification has shown that it can effectively modulate the eddy viscosity, rendering better simulation capabilities for time‐dependent flow computations in term of the unsteady characteristics. In the present study, the IDCM along with the filter‐based k–ε turbulence model is adopted to simulate 2‐D cavitating flows over the Clark‐Y airfoil. The chord Reynolds number is Re=7.0 × 10⁵. Two angles‐of‐attack of 5 and 8° associated with several cavitation numbers covering different flow regimes are conducted. The simulation results are assessed with the experimental data including lift, drag and velocity profiles. The interplay between cavitation and turbulence models reveals substantial differences in time‐dependent flow results even though the time‐averaged characteristics are similar. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi-scale analysis of subgrid stress and energy dissipation in turbulent channel flow

In present study, the subgrid scale （SGS） stress and dissipation for multiscale formulation of large eddy simulation are analyzed using the data of turbulent channel flow at Ret = 180 obtained by direct numerical simulation. It is found that the small scale SGS stress is much smaller than the large scale SGS stress for all the stress components. The dominant contributor to large scale SGS stress is the cross stress between small scale and subgrid scale motions, while the cross stress between large scale and subgrid scale motions make major contributions to small scale SGS stress. The energy transfer from resolved large scales to subgrid scales is mainly caused by SGS Reynolds stress, while that between resolved small scales and subgrid scales are mainly due to the cross stress. The multiscale formulation of SGS models are evaluated a priori, and it is found that the small- small model is superior to other variants in terms of SGS dissipation.     

Reynolds‐stress modelling of M = 2.25 shock‐wave/turbulent boundary‐layer interaction

M = 2.25 shock‐wave/turbulent‐boundary‐layer interactions over a compression ramp for several angles (8, 13 and 18°) at Reynolds‐number Re=7 × 10³ were simulated with three low‐Reynolds second‐moment closures and a linear low‐Reynolds standard k–ε model. A detailed assessment of the turbulence closures by comparison with both mean‐flow and turbulent experimental quantities is presented. The Reynolds‐stress model which is wall‐topology free and which uses an optimized redistribution closure, is in good agreement with experimental data both for wall‐pressure and mean‐velocity profiles. Detailed analysis of three components of the Reynolds‐stress tensor (comparison with measurements and transport‐equation budgets) provides a critical evaluation of full Reynolds‐stress models for the separated supersonic compression ramp. The discrepancy observed in the shock‐wave foot region, between computations and measurements for the Reynolds‐stresses profiles, could be explained by considering the experimental shock‐wave oscillation and directions for future modelling work are indicated. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parallel large eddy simulation of turbulent flow around MIRA model using linear equal‐order finite element method

A parallel large eddy simulation code that adopts domain decomposition method has been developed for large‐scale computation of turbulent flows around an arbitrarily shaped body. For the temporal integration of the unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equation, fractional 4‐step splitting algorithm is adopted, and for the modelling of small eddies in turbulent flows, the Smagorinsky model is used. For the parallelization of the code, METIS and Message Passing Interface Libraries are used, respectively, to partition the computational domain and to communicate data between processors. To validate the parallel architecture and to estimate its performance, a three‐dimensional laminar driven cavity flow inside a cubical enclosure has been solved. To validate the turbulence calculation, the turbulent channel flows at Re_τ = 180 and 1050 are simulated and compared with previous results. Then, a backward facing step flow is solved and compared with a DNS result for overall code validation. Finally, the turbulent flow around MIRA model at Re = 2.6 × 10⁶ is simulated by using approximately 6.7 million nodes. Scalability curve obtained from this simulation shows that scalable results are obtained. The calculated drag coefficient agrees better with the experimental result than those previously obtained by using two‐equation turbulence models. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large eddy simulation of bluff body wake in planar shear flow

Large eddy simulation of planar shear flow past a square cylinder has been investigated. Dynamic Smagorinsky model has been used to model subgrid scale stress. The shear parameter, K, namely the nondimensional streamwise velocity gradient in the lateral direction, is 0.0, 0.1 and 0.2. Reynolds number based on the centerline velocity is fixed at Re=21400. The time and span‐averaged velocity components, pressure coefficient, Reynolds stresses for uniform are in good agreement with the literature. In shear flow the calculated flow structure and mean velocity components are shown to be markedly different from those of the uniform flow. With increasing shear parameter, the cylinder wake is dominated by clockwise vortices. Both the velocity components in shear flow are compared with respective components in uniform flow. Comparison of normal and shear stresses between shear and no shear case have also been presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large eddy simulation (2D) using diffusion–velocity method and vortex‐in‐cell

A large eddy Simulation based on the diffusion‐velocity method and the discrete vortex method is presented. The vorticity‐based and eddy viscosity type subgrid scale model simulating the enstrophy transfer between the large and small scale appears as a convective term in the diffusion‐velocity formulation. The methodology has been tested on a spatially growing mixing layer using the two‐dimensional vortex‐in‐cell method and the Smagorinsky subgrid scale model. The effects on the vorticity contours, momemtum thickness, mean streamwise velocity profiles, root‐mean‐square velocity and vorticity fluctuations and negative cross‐stream correlation are discussed. Comparison is made with experiment and numerical work where diffusion is simulated using random walk. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of implicit and subgrid‐scale model large‐eddy simulation techniques for low‐Reynolds number airfoil applications

A computational study of a high‐fidelity, implicit large‐eddy simulation (ILES) technique with and without the use of the dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid‐scale (SGS) model is conducted to examine the contributions of the SGS model on solutions of transitional flow over the SD7003 airfoil section. ILES without an SGS model has been shown in the past to produce comparable and sometimes favorable results to traditional SGS‐based large‐eddy simulation (LES) when applied to canonical turbulent flows. This paper evaluates the necessity of the SGS model for low‐Reynolds number airfoil applications to affirm the use of ILES without SGS‐modeling for a broader class of problems such as those pertaining to micro air vehicles and low‐pressure turbines. It is determined that the addition of the dynamic Smagorinsky model does not significantly affect the time‐mean flow or statistical quantities measured around the airfoil section for the spatial resolutions and Reynolds numbers examined in this study. Additionally, the robustness and reduced computational cost of ILES without the SGS model demonstrates the attractiveness of ILES as an alternative to traditional LES. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Large eddy simulation (2D) of spatially developing mixing layer using vortex‐in‐cell for flow field and filtered probability density function for scalar field

A large eddy simulation based on filtered vorticity transport equation has been coupled with filtered probability density function transport equation for scalar field, to predict the velocity and passive scalar fields. The filtered vorticity transport has been formulated using diffusion‐velocity method and then solved using the vortex method. The methodology has been tested on a spatially growing mixing layer using the two‐dimensional vortex‐in‐cell method in conjunction with both Smagorinsky and dynamic eddy viscosity subgrid scale models for an anisotropic flow. The transport equation for filtered probability density function is solved using the Lagrangian Monte‐Carlo method. The unresolved subgrid scale convective term in filtered density function transport is modelled using the gradient diffusion model. The unresolved subgrid scale mixing term is modelled using the modified Curl model. The effects of subgrid scale models on the vorticity contours, mean streamwise velocity profiles, root‐mean‐square velocity and vorticity fluctuations profiles and negative cross‐stream correlations are discussed. Also the characteristics of the passive scalar, i.e. mean concentration profiles, root‐mean‐square concentration fluctuations profiles and filtered probability density function are presented and compared with previous experimental and numerical works. The sensitivity of the results to the Schmidt number, constant in mixing frequency and inflow boundary conditions are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A time‐implicit high‐order compact differencing and filtering scheme for large‐eddy simulation

This work investigates a high‐order numerical method which is suitable for performing large‐eddy simulations, particularly those containing wall‐bounded regions which are considered on stretched curvilinear meshes. Spatial derivatives are represented by a sixth‐order compact approximation that is used in conjunction with a tenth‐order non‐dispersive filter. The scheme employs a time‐implicit approximately factored finite‐difference algorithm, and applies Newton‐like subiterations to achieve second‐order temporal and sixth‐order spatial accuracy. Both the Smagorinsky and dynamic subgrid‐scale stress models are incorporated in the computations, and are used for comparison along with simulations where no model is employed. Details of the method are summarized, and a series of classic validating computations are performed. These include the decay of compressible isotropic turbulence, turbulent channel flow, and the subsonic flow past a circular cylinder. For each of these cases, it was found that the method was robust and provided an accurate means of describing the flowfield, based upon comparisons with previous existing numerical results and experimental data. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.