Resolution-induced anisotropy in large-eddy simulations

Journal Article · Wed Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 2019 · Physical Review Fluids

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevfluids.4.114605· OSTI ID:1667422

Haering, Sigfried W. ^[1]; Lee, Myoungkyu ^[1]; Moser, Robert D. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)

Large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulence in complex geometries and domains is often conducted with high-aspect-ratio resolution cells of varying shapes and orientations. The effects of such anisotropic resolution are often simplified or neglected in subgrid model formulations. In this study, we examine resolution-induced anisotropy and demonstrate that even for isotropic turbulence, anisotropic resolution induces mild resolved Reynolds stress anisotropy and significant anisotropy in second-order resolved velocity gradient statistics. In large-eddy simulations of homogeneous isotropic turbulence with anisotropic resolution, it is shown that commonly used subgrid models, including those that consider resolution anisotropy in their formulation, perform poorly. The one exception is the anisotropic minimum dissipation model proposed by Rozema et al. [Phys. Fluids 27, 085107 (2015)]. A simple model is presented here that is an anisotropic eddy diffusivity extension of the “Kolmogorov expression” eddy viscosity of Carati et al. [A family of dynamic models for large-eddy simulation, in Annual Research Briefs, Center for Turbulence Research (Stanford University and NASA AMES, 1995), pp. 35–40] that depends explicitly on the anisotropy of the resolution. It also performs well and is remarkable because, unlike other LES subgrid models, the eddy diffusivity only depends on statistical characteristics of the turbulence (in this case, the dissipation rate), not on fluctuating quantities. In other subgrid modeling formulations, such as the dynamic procedure, limiting flow dependence to statistical quantities in this way could have advantages.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1667422
• Report Number(s): SAND--2020-9139J; 690295
• Journal Information: Physical Review Fluids, Journal Name: Physical Review Fluids Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 4; ISSN 2469-990X
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
fluid dynamics
turbulence
viscosity