Showing papers by "Parviz Moin published in 1990"

A dynamic subgrid-scale eddy viscosity model

Abstract: One major drawback of the eddy viscosity subgrid-scale stress models used in large-eddy simulations is their inability to represent correctly with a single universal constant different turbulent field in rotating or sheared flows, near solid walls, or in transitional regimes. In the present work, a new eddy viscosity model is presented which alleviates many of these drawbacks. The model coefficient is computed dynamically as the calculation progresses rather than input a priori. The model is based on an algebraic identity (Germano 1990) between the subgrid-scale stresses at two different filtered levels and the resolved turbulent stresses. The subgrid-scale stresses obtained using the proposed model vanish in laminar flow and at a solid boundary, and have the correct asymptotic behavior in the near-wall region of a turbulent boundary layer. The results of large-eddy simulations of transitional and turbulent channel flow that use the proposed model are in good agreement with the direct simulation data.

The structure of two-dimensional separation

Abstract: The separation of a two-dimensional laminar boundary layer under the influence of a suddenly imposed external adverse pressure gradient was studied by time-accurate numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations. It was found that a strong adverse pressure gradient created periodic vortex shedding from the separation. The general features of the time-averaged results were similar to experimental results for laminar separation bubbles. Comparisons were made with the ‘steady’ separation experiments of Gaster (1966). It was found that his ‘bursting’ occurs under the same conditions as our periodic shedding, suggesting that bursting is actually periodic shedding which has been time-averaged. The Strouhal number based on the shedding frequency, local free-stream velocity, and boundary-layer momentum thickness at separation was independent of the Reynolds number and the pressure gradient. A criterion for onset of shedding was established. The shedding frequency was the same as that predicted for the most amplified linear inviscid instability of the separated shear layer.

Structure of turbulence at high shear rate

Abstract: The structure of homogeneous turbulence subject to high shear rate has been investigated by using three-dimensional, time-dependent numerical simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations. This study indicates that high shear rate alone is sufficient for generation of the streaky structures, and that the presence of a solid boundary is not necessary. Evolution of the statistical correlations is examined to determine the effect of high shear rate on the development of anisotropy in turbulence. It is shown that the streamwise fluctuating motions are enhanced so profoundly that a highly anisotropic turbulence state with a 'one-component' velocity field and 'two-component' vorticity field develops asymptotically as total shear increases. Because of high-shear rate, rapid distortion theory predicts remarkably well the anisotropic behavior of the structural quantities.

On the space‐time characteristics of wall‐pressure fluctuations

Abstract: A database obtained by direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow was used to compute the three‐dimensional frequency/wave‐number spectrum of wall‐pressure fluctuations. The spectrum was used to deduce scaling laws for pressure fluctuations and to evaluate the similarity form for the power spectrum. The convection velocity as a function of frequency, wave number, and spatial and temporal separations was calculated and compared with the experimental data. The problem of artificial ‘‘acoustics’’ in numerical simulation of incompressible flows is discussed.

Direct numerical simulation of a three‐dimensional turbulent boundary layer

Abstract: The effects of transverse strain on an initially two‐dimensional turbulent boundary layer are studied in a direct numerical simulation of a planar channel flow with impulsively started transverse pressure gradient. Consistent with experiments in three‐dimensional boundary layers, the simulation shows a decrease in the Reynolds shear stress with increasing transverse strain. Also, the directions of the Reynolds shear stress vector and the mean velocity gradient vector were found to differ. In addition, the simulation shows a drop in the turbulent kinetic energy. Terms in the Reynolds stress transport equations were computed. The balances indicate that the decrease in turbulent kinetic energy is a result of a decrease in turbulence production, along with an increase in turbulent dissipation. Intuitive reasoning and current turbulence models would predict an increase in kinetic energy along with increases in production and dissipation rates as a result of increased mean‐flow strain rate. Later in the evolution of the flow, both turbulence production and dissipation increase.

Subgrid-scale backscatter in transitional and turbulent flows

Abstract: Most subgrid-scale (SGS) models for large-eddy simulations are absolutely dissipative (that is, they remove energy from the large scales at each point in the physical space). The actual SGS stresses, however, may transfer energy to the large scales (backscatter) at a given location. Direct numerical simulations of turbulent channel flow and compressible isotropic turbulence are used to study the backscatter phenomena. In all flows considered roughly 50 percent of the grid points were experiencing backscatter when a Fourier cutoff filter was used. The backscatter fraction was less with a Gaussian filter, and intermediate with a box filter in physical space. Moreover, the backscatter and forward scatter contributions to the SGS dissipation were comparable, and each was often much larger than the total SGS dissipation. The SGS dissipation (normalized by total dissipation) increased with filter width almost independently of filter type and Reynolds number. The amount of backscatter showed an increasing trend with Reynolds numbers. In the near-wall region of the channel, events characterized by strong Reynolds shear stress correlated fairly well with areas of high SGS dissipation (both forward and backward). In compressible isotropic turbulence similar results were obtained, independent of fluctuation Mach number.

Similarity of organized structures in turbulent shear flows

Abstract: Recent analysis of databases generated by direct numerical simulations of homogeneous turbulent shear flows have revealed the presence of coherent structures similar to those in turbulent boundary layers. In this paper these findings and tentative conclusions on their significance are discussed.

Active Turbulence Control in Wallbounded Flow Using Direct Numerical Simulations

Abstract: An exploratory study of concepts for active control of turbulent boundary layers using the direct numerical simulation technique was performed. Significant drag reduction was achieved when the surface boundary condition was modified such that it could suppress the large-scale structures present in the wall region. This was achieved by prescribing the normal component of velocity at the wall to be 180° out of phase with the normal velocity slightly above the wall at each instant. The drag reduction was accompanied with significant reduction in the intensity of the wall-layer structures and reductions in the magnitude of Reynolds stresses throughout the flow. Suitability of wall-pressure and shear-stress fluctuations for detection of flow structures above the wall was examined. A preliminary result obtained by applying the present control strategy to a transitional flow is also briefly described, from which one can infer a possible linkage between the control strategy and flow stability.