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.     

2D numerical flow modeling in a macro‐rough channel

A 2D numerical flow model, developed at the Research unit of Hydrology, Applied Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Constructions at ULg, has been applied to flows in a macro‐rough channel. The model solves the shallow water equations (SWE) with a two length scale, depth‐integrated k‐type approach for turbulence modeling. Data for the comparison have been provided by experiments conducted at the Laboratory of Hydraulic Constructions at EPFL. In the experiments with different non‐prismatic channel configurations, namely large‐scale cavities at the side walls, three different 2D flow characteristics could be observed in cavities. With the used numerical model features, especially regarding turbulence and friction modeling, a single set of bottom and side wall roughness could be found for a large range of discharges investigated in a prismatic channel. For the macro rough configurations, the numerical model gives an excellent agreement between experimental and numerical results regarding backwater curves and flow patterns if the side wall cavities have low aspect ratios. For configurations with high aspect ratios, the head loss generated by the preservation of important recirculation gyres in the cavities is slightly underestimated. The results of the computations reveal clearly that the separation of turbulence sources in the mathematical model is of great importance. Indeed, the turbulence related to 2D transverse shear effects and the 3D turbulence, generated by bed friction, can have very different amplitude. When separating these two effects in the numerical models, most of the flow features observed experimentally can be reproduced accurately. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling the effects of emergent vegetation on an open‐channel flow using a lattice model

A two‐dimensional lattice model has been developed to describe the influence of vegetation on the turbulent flow structure in an open channel. The model includes the influence of vegetation density on the frictional effect of the channel bed and walls. For the walls, a semi‐slip boundary condition has been considered as an alternative to overcome the no‐slip boundary condition limitations in turbulent flows. The drag stress exerted by the flow on the vegetation as well as the gravity effect has also been taken into account. The proposed lattice model has been used to simulate the experimental results reported from the study of the influence of alternate vegetated zones on the open‐channel flow. The results show that the lattice model approach is a valid tool for describing these kinds of flows. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation of turbulent free surface flow with two‐equation k–ε eddy‐viscosity models

This paper presents a finite difference technique for solving incompressible turbulent free surface fluid flow problems. The closure of the time‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations is achieved by using the two‐equation eddy‐viscosity model: the high‐Reynolds k–ε (standard) model, with a time scale proposed by Durbin; and a low‐Reynolds number form of the standard k–ε model, similar to that proposed by Yang and Shih. In order to achieve an accurate discretization of the non‐linear terms, a second/third‐order upwinding technique is adopted. The computational method is validated by applying it to the flat plate boundary layer problem and to impinging jet flows. The method is then applied to a turbulent planar jet flow beneath and parallel to a free surface. Computations show that the high‐Reynolds k–ε model yields favourable predictions both of the zero‐pressure‐gradient turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate and jet impingement flows. However, the results using the low‐Reynolds number form of the k–ε model are somewhat unsatisfactory. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Unsteady hydromagnetic flow of a reactive variable viscosity third‐grade fluid in a channel with convective cooling

This paper examines the combined effects of a transverse magnetic field and variable viscosity on unsteady flow of a reactive third‐grade electrically conducting fluid and heat transfer in a channel with convective cooling at the surface. It is assumed that the fluid has small electrical conductivity and the electromagnetic force produced is very small. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations governing the problem are derived and solved numerically using a semi‐implicit finite‐difference scheme. Both numerical and graphical results are presented and physical aspects of the problem are discussed with respect to various parameters embedded in the system. It is in general noted that those parameters that increase/decrase one flow quantity (velocity or temperature) also lead to the increase/decrease respectively of the other quantity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation of standing wave with 3D predictor-corrector finite difference method for potential flow equations

A three-dimensional （3D） predictor-corrector finite difference method for standing wave is developed. It is applied to solve the 3D nonlinear potential flow equa- tions with a free surface. The 3D irregular tank is mapped onto a fixed cubic tank through the proper coordinate transform schemes. The cubic tank is distributed by the staggered meshgrid, and the staggered meshgrid is used to denote the variables of the flow field. The predictor-corrector finite difference method is given to develop the difference equa- tions of the dynamic boundary equation and kinematic boundary equation. Experimental results show that, using the finite difference method of the predictor-corrector scheme, the numerical solutions agree well with the published results. The wave profiles of the standing wave with different amplitudes and wave lengths are studied. The numerical solutions are also analyzed and presented graphically.     

Development of a generalized multi‐layer model for 3‐D simulation of free surface flows

A mathematical model was developed for three‐dimensional (3‐D) simulation of free surface flows. In this model, the flow depth is divided into a number of layers and shallow water equations are integrated in each layer to derive the hydrodynamic equations. To give a general form to this model, each layer is assumed to be non‐horizontal with varying thickness in the flow domain. A non‐orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system is employed in the model, to allow for flexibility in dealing with the irregular geometry of natural watercourses. Due to the similarity in governing equations, two‐dimensional (2‐D) depth averaged programs can be developed into a multi‐layer model. The development for a depth averaged program and its numerical scheme is described in this paper. Experimental data and semi‐analytical solutions are used to evaluate the performance of the model. Three different cases of open channel flow are tested: 1‐flow in a straight open channel, 2‐the flow development region in a channel, and 3‐flow in a meandering channel. It is shown that the model has the capability to predict velocity distribution and secondary flows in complex 3‐D flow conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.