Usability of explicit filtering in large eddy simulation with a low‐order numerical scheme and different subgrid‐scale models

Based on a priori tests, in large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent fluid flow, the numerical error related to low‐order finite‐difference‐type methods can be large in comparison with the effect of subgrid‐scale (SGS) model. Explicit filtering has been suggested to reduce the error, and it has shown promising results in a priori studies and in some simulations with fourth‐order method. In this paper, the effect of explicit filtering on the total simulation error is studied together with a second‐order scheme, where the numerical error should be even larger. The fully developed turbulent channel flow between two parallel walls is used as a test case. Rather simple SGS models are applied, because these models are most likely used in practical applications of LES. Explicit filtering is here applied to the non‐linear convection term of the Navier–Stokes equations, four three‐dimensional filter functions are applied, and the effect of filtering is separated from the effect of SGS modelling. It is shown that the effect of filtering is rather large and smooth filters introduce an additional error component that increases the total simulation error. Finally, filtering via subfilter‐scale modelling is applied, and it is shown that this approach performs better. However, the large‐frequency components of the resolved flow field are not as effectively damped as when the non‐linear convection term is filtered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of Smagorinsky‐based subgrid‐scale models in a finite‐volume computation

Smagorinsky‐based models are assessed in a turbulent channel flow simulation at Re_b=2800 and Re_b=12500. The Navier–Stokes equations are solved with three different grid resolutions by using a co‐located finite‐volume method. Computations are repeated with Smagorinsky‐based subgrid‐scale models. A traditional Smagorinsky model is implemented with a van Driest damping function. A dynamic model assumes a similarity of the subgrid and the subtest Reynolds stresses and an explicit filtering operation is required. A top‐hat test filter is implemented with a trapezoidal and a Simpson rule. At the low Reynolds number computation none of the tested models improves the results at any grid level compared to the calculations with no model. The effect of the subgrid‐scale model is reduced as the grid is refined. The numerical implementation of the test filter influences on the result. At the higher Reynolds number the subgrid‐scale models stabilize the computation. An analysis of an accurately resolved flow field reveals that the discretization error overwhelms the subgrid term at Re_b=2800 in the most part of the computational domain. Copyright © 2002 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.     

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.     

A new multi‐domain/multi‐resolution method for large‐eddy simulation

A new multi‐domain/multi‐resolution method is presented in the framework of the large‐eddy simulation (LES). The proposed treatment at the interfaces is conceived to deal with the problem of discontinuities on the characteristic length scales met in the case of two domains having different resolutions. It gives rise to an original approach taking into account not only the discontinuous aspect on the flow fields values but also, consequently, the non‐conservative aspect of transfer of fluxes through the interfaces. This new treatment at the interfaces has been assessed successfully in the case of a subsonic compressible channel flow. Copyright © 2001 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.     

Assessment of stretched vortex subgrid‐scale models for LES of incompressible inhomogeneous turbulent flow

The physical space version of the stretched vortex subgrid scale model is tested in LES of the turbulent lid‐driven cubic cavity flow. LES is carried out by using a higher order finite‐difference method. The effects of different vortex orientation models and subgrid turbulence spectrums are assessed through comparisons of the LES predictions against DNS. Three Reynolds numbers 12000, 18000, and 22000 are studied. Good agreement with the DNS data for the mean and fluctuating quantities is observed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large eddy simulation of turbulent shallow water flows using multi‐relaxation‐time lattice Boltzmann model

In this paper, the standard Smagorinsky's algorithm is embedded into the multiple relaxation time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) for large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent shallow water flows (MRT‐LABSWE^TM). The model is based on the two‐dimensional nonlinear shallow water equations, giving the depth‐averaged features. It is verified by applying the model in three typical cases in engineering with turbulence: (i) the flow around a square cylinder, (ii) plane cavity flow, and (iii) flows in a junction of 90°. The results obtained by the MRT‐LABSWE^TM are compared with BGK‐LABSWE^TM results and experimental data. The objectives of this study are to validate the MRT‐LABSWE^TM in a turbulence simulation and perform a comparative analysis between the results of BGK‐LABSWE^TM and MRT‐LABSWE^TM. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large eddy simulation in a turbulent channel flow using exit boundary conditions

The influence of the exit boundary conditions on the vanishing first derivative of the velocity components and constant pressure on the large eddy simulation of the fully developed turbulent channel flow has been investigated for equidistant and stretched grids at the channel exit. Results show that the chosen exit boundary conditions introduce some small disturbances that are mostly damped by the grid stretching. The difference of rms values between the fully developed turbulent channel flow with periodicity conditions and the fully developed channel flow using inlet and the exit boundary conditions is less than 10% for the equidistant grids and less than 5% for the stretched grids. The chosen boundary conditions are of interest because they may be used in complex problems with back flow at the exit. Copyright © 1999 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.     

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.     

Large eddy simulation of homogeneous shear flows with several subgrid‐scale models

In this article, large eddy simulation is used to simulate homogeneous shear flows. The spatial discretization is accomplished by the spectral collocation method and a third‐order Runge–Kutta method is used to integrate the time‐dependent terms. For the estimation of the subgrid‐scale stress tensor, the Smagorinsky model, the dynamic model, the scale‐similarity model and the mixed model are used. Their predicting performance for homogeneous shear flow is compared accordingly. The initial Reynolds number varies from 33 to 99 and the initial shear number is 2. Evolution of the turbulent kinetic energy, the growth rate, the anisotropy component and the subgrid‐scale dissipation rate is presented. In addition, the performance of several filters is examined. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparative study of inflow conditions for two‐ and three‐dimensional spatially developing mixing layers using large eddy simulation

A series of spatially developing mixing layers are simulated using the large eddy simulation (LES) technique. A hyperbolic tangent function and data derived from boundary layer simulations are used to generate the inflow condition, and their effects on the flow are compared. The simulations are performed in both two and three dimensions. In two‐dimensional simulations, both types of inflow conditions produce a layer that grows through successive pairings of Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) vortices, but the composition ratio is lower for the hyperbolic tangent inflow simulations. The two‐dimensional simulations do not undergo a transition to turbulence. The three‐dimensional simulations produce a transition to turbulence, and coherent structures are found in the post‐transition region of the flow. The composition ratio of the three‐dimensional layers is reduced in comparison to the counterpart two‐dimensional runs. The mechanisms of growth are investigated in each type of simulation, and amalgamative pairing interactions are found in the pre‐transition region of the three‐dimensional simulations, and throughout the entire computational domain of those carried out in two‐dimensions. The structures beyond the post‐transition region of the three‐dimensional simulations appear to behave in a much different manner to their pre‐transition cousins, with no pairing‐type interactions observed in the turbulent flow. In order to accurately simulate spatially developing mixing layers, it is postulated that the inflow conditions must closely correspond to the conditions present in the reference experiment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

圆柱绕流流场结构的大涡模拟研究

为进一步揭示绕流现象的形成机理,本文分别对处于层流稳态区、尾流过渡区、剪切层转换区Re分别为26、200、1.4×105的三种典型流态下的单圆柱绕流进行了二维数值模拟研究。Re为26时应用层流模型直接求解N-S方程,而Re分别为200、1.4×105时使用大涡模拟的方法进行计算。数值模拟很好地再现了稳定的涡旋结构、周期性交替脱落的卡门涡街结构、不规则的涡旋结构,在此基础上分析了尾流结构的基本特征及其压强分布规律、平均的流场特性、积分参数(如升力系数、阻力系数、斯特劳哈尔等),并与有关研究成果进行了对比。研究发现,采用不同流动介质时流场特性有所差异,空气为介质时的计算结果更符合实验的成果,而水为介质时计算结果偏差较大,这主要是由尾流涡旋产生的不合理负压造成的。     

Large eddy simulation and a simple wall model for turbulent flow calculation by a particle method

A turbulent channel flow and the flow around a cubic obstacle are calculated by the moving particle semi‐implicit method with the subparticle‐scale turbulent model and a wall model, which is based on the zero equation RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier‐Stokes). The wall model is useful in practical problems that often involve high Reynolds numbers and wall turbulence, because it is difficult to keep high resolution in the near‐wall region in particle simulation. A turbulent channel flow is calculated by the present method to validate our wall model. The mean velocity distribution agrees with the log‐law velocity profile near the wall. Statistical values are also the same order and tendency as experimental results with emulating viscous layer by the wall model. We also investigated the influence of numerical oscillations on turbulence analysis in using the moving particle semi‐implicit method. Finally, the turbulent flow around a cubic obstacle is calculated by the present method to demonstrate capability of calculating practical turbulent flows. Three characteristic eddies appear in front of, over, and in the back of the cube both in our calculation and the experimental result that was obtained by Martinuzzi and Tropea. Mean velocity and turbulent intensity profiles are predicted in the same order and have similar tendency as the experimental result. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution of eddy viscosity and mixing length in a non-Newtonian flow of a solid particle-gas suspension

The present work concerns the study of the radial distribution of eddy viscosity and mixing length and their dependence upon the Reynolds number and the concentration of the solid phase in a non-Newtonian flow of a suspension of solid particles in a gas. The investigated systems have a pseudoplastic character and the deviation from Newtonian behaviour increases with an increase in the concentration of the dispersed phase. Relations are presented for the eddy viscosity and mixing length in the flow of pseudoplastic fluids. From the analysis of results it follows that the mixing length and eddy viscosity increases with an increase in the Reynolds number. In contrast, an increase in the concentration of the solid phase and consequently of the pseudoplasticity causes a decrease in the investigated quantities. The radial distribution of the mixing length and the eddy viscosity is characterized by a maximum, after which the investigated quantities vary only slightly. This enables the area of the core of the turbulent flow to be defined. E Non-dimensional eddy viscosity - K fluid consistency defined by Ostwald-De Waele's formula (power law) - K fluid consistency, eq. (12) - L mixing length - L _t non-dimensional mixing length - N ⁺ position parameter, eq. (3) - n power-law index - n ⁺ Reichardt's position parameter, eq. (4) - n slope of the dependence ln _w = f[ln (8w/D)] - R pipe radius - r radial distance from the pipe axis - Re=D W /µ Reynolds number - U ⁺ non-dimensional local mean axial velocity, eq. (2) - u ^* = w (/8)^0.5 friction velocity - non-dimensional local mean axial velocity - local mean axial velocity - u turbulence velocity component - mean axial velocity at pipe axis - w average velocity over cross-section of pipe - loading ratio of solid to air, i.e. ratio of mass flow rates of solids to air - Y _m ⁺ =Rⁿ u^2–n /K 8^n–1 non-dimensional distance of pipe centre from the wall - y distance from pipe wall - y ⁺ non-dimensional distance from pipe wall, eq. (5) - friction factor - µ _L laminar part of viscosity - µ _t eddy viscosity - density - shear stress - _w shear stress on the wall