The standard κ-ϵ equations and other turbulence models are evaluated with respect to their applicability in swirling, recirculating flows. The turbulence models are formulated on the basis of two separate viewpoints. The first perspective assumes that an isotropic eddy viscosity and the modified Boussinesq hypothesis adequately describe the stress distributions, and that the source of predictive error is a consequence of the modeled terms in the κ-ϵ equations. Both stabilizing and destabilizing Richardson number corrections are incorporated to investigate this line of reasoning. A second viewpoint proposes that the eddy viscosity approach is inherently inadequate and that a redistribution of the stress magnitudes is necessary. Investigation of higher-order closure is pursued on the level of an algebraic stress closure. Various turbulence model predictions are compared with experimental data from a variety of isothermal, confined studies. Supportive swirl comparisons are also performed for a laminar flow case, as well as reacting flow cases. Parallel predictions or contributions from other sources are also consulted where appropriate. Predictive accuracy was found to be a partial function of inlet boundary conditions and numerical diffusion. Despite prediction sensitivity to inlet conditions and numerics, the data comparisons delineate the relative advantages and disadvantages of the various modifications. Possible research avenues in the area of computational modeling of strongly swirling, recirculating flows are reviewed and discussed.

Bubbles, Drops, and Particles

In this article the principles of the field operation and manipulation (FOAM) C++ class library for continuum mechanics are outlined. Our intention is to make it as easy as possible to develop reliable and efficient computational continuum-mechanics codes: this is achieved by making the top-level syntax of the code as close as possible to conventional mathematical notation for tensors and partial differential equations. Object-orientation techniques enable the creation of data types that closely mimic those of continuum mechanics, and the operator overloading possible in C++ allows normal mathematical symbols to be used for the basic operations. As an example, the implementation of various types of turbulence modeling in a FOAM computational-fluid-dynamics code is discussed, and calculations performed on a standard test case, that of flow around a square prism, are presented. To demonstrate the flexibility of the FOAM library, codes for solving structures and magnetohydrodynamics are also presented with appropriate test case results given. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.

A tensorial approach to computational continuum mechanics using object-oriented techniques

AIJ guidelines for practical applications of CFD to pedestrian wind environment around buildings

Proposals are made for modelling the pressure-containing correlations which appear in the transport equations for Reynolds stress and heat flux in a simple way which accounts for gravitational effects and the modification of the fluctuating pressure field by the presence of a wall. The predicted changes in structure are shown to agree with Young's (1975) measurements in a free stratified shear flow and with the Kansas data on the atmospheric surface layer.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022112078001251

Ground effects on pressure fluctuations in the atmospheric boundary layer

Previous results of non-dimensional wind and temperature profiles as functions of ζ(= z/L) show systematic deviations between different experiments. These discrepancies are generally believed not to reflect real differences but rather instrumental shortcomings. In particular, it is clear that flow distortion has not been adequately treated in most previous experiments. In the present paper, results are presented from a surface-layer field experiment where great care was taken to remove any effects from this kind of error and also to minimize other measuring errors. Data from about 90 30-min runs with turbulence measurements at three levels (3, 6, and 14 m) and simultaneous profile data have been analysed to yield information on flux-gradient relationships for wind and temperature.

Non-Dimensional Wind and Temperature Profiles in the Atmospheric Surface Layer: A Re-Evaluation

On the Calculation of Horizontal, Turbulent, Free Shear Flows Under Gravitational Influence

The measurements in a highly curved mixing layer reported by Castro & Bradshaw (1976) are used to evaluate the performance of a calculation method based on the solution of modelled transport equations for the Reynolds stresses and the dissipation rate of turbulent energy. The model reproduces the suppression of turbulence by stabilizing curvature and, downstream of the curved region, where the flow returns asymptotically to being a plane mixing layer, calculated values of turbulent intensity and shear stress overshoot the plane-layer values in accordance with the experimental observations. The results are compared with those obtained by Townsend (1980) from a rapid-distortion model which correctly predicts the streamwise variation of the shear stress to intensity ratio. By contrast, calculations based on a conventional two-equation eddy-viscosity model fail badly to account for curvature effects on this flow.

A Reynolds-stress closure model of turbulence applied to the calculation of a highly curved mixing layer

Extensive single-point turbulence measurements made in a heated wall jet on a convex wall, and in an equivalent plane flow, show that the turbulence structure and the transfer of heat and momentum are affected by wall curvature. In the curved wall jet the points of zero shear stress and zero streamwise heat flux are displaced further from the point of maximum velocity, the Stanton number for heat transfer from the surface is reduced more than the skin-friction coefficient, and temperature profiles in the inner layer depart from the flat-flow wall law. The shear stress, turbulent intensities and turbulent heat fluxes are reduced by stabilizing curvature in the inner layer and increased by destabilizing curvature in the outer flow. The largest changes occur in the triple products, which are nearly doubled by destabilizing curvature.

M. M. Gibson

Papers

Ground effects on pressure fluctuations in the atmospheric boundary layer

On the Calculation of Horizontal, Turbulent, Free Shear Flows Under Gravitational Influence

A Reynolds-stress closure model of turbulence applied to the calculation of a highly curved mixing layer

Turbulent flow with heat transfer in plane and curved wall jets