TURBULENCE MODELING

A Discussion on Different Techniques used in Turbulence Modeling

-Reni Raju
Topics Covered

Concept
Definition
Methods of Solving Turbulent Equations
Navier Stokes Equation
Models

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Turbulence

Examples:
Wake of a water near the columnn of a
bridge.
Dispersion of Smoke in the atmosphere.

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Definition
 A Fluid motion in which velocity,pressure, and other flow quantities
fluctuate irregularly in time and space.

 “Turbulent Fluid motion is an irregular condition of flow in which the

various quantities show a random variation with time and space
coordinates, so that statistically distinct average values can be
obsevered.”
- Hinze

 “Turbulence is due to the formation of point or line vortice on which

some component of the velocity becomes infinite.:”
-Jean Leray

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 Methods for Solving
Turbulent Equations

DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATION

(DNS)
LARGE-EDDY SIMULATION
(LES)
REYNOLDS AVERAGED NAVIER-STOKES
(RANS)

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Navier Stokes Equation

For a Steady, Incompressible Fluid the

Continuity and x-momentum equations

u v w
  0
x y z

u u u 1 dp  2u  2u  2u
u v w    2 2 2
x x x  dx x y z

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For turbulent flow,

u (t )  u  u ' (t )

The time averages,

  
1 t T 1 t T
u' 
T t
u (t )  u dt 
T 
t
u ' (t )dt  0

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Time averaged Navier Stokes Equation

u u u 1 dp   2 u  2 u  2 u   u '2 u ' v' u ' w' 

u v w   v 2  2  2    
x y z  dx  x y z   x y z 

For all the Three Momentum Equation

 ( xx  u '2 ) ( xy  u ' v') ( xz  u ' w')

 
 ij   ( yx  v' u ') ( yy  v' ) ( yz  v' w') 
2

 2 
(
 zx  u ' w ') (  w' v ') (  w ' )
zy zz


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Turbulence Models

Integral Method

Eddy-Viscosity Models
Zero-Equation Models
One-Equation Models
Two- Equation Models

Reynolds Stress Models

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[Link] Method

Advantages
-Computational Simplicity and Ease.
-Useful for same kind of flow.
-Easy to interpolate with experimental bench marks.

Disadvantages
-Lack of Flexibility.

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[Link] Viscosity models

For 2-D incompressible boundary layer

equation
u  u ' v'
 u ' v'   or 
y u
y

Momentum Equation,

u u 1 dp     u
u v   v 1  
x y  dx y  v  y

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(a) ZERO-EQUATION MODELS

 u 
 i  l.l  
 y 
 


 0  0.0168 (ue  u )dy
0

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(a) ZERO-EQUATION MODELS

Advantages
-Simplest of Models satisfying the requirements.

Disadvantages
-Some ad hoc assumptions have to be made regarding boundary layer and
velocity.

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(b) ONE-EQUATION MODELS

u
 q2 2
x
v
 q2 2
y
v

y

1   (r ) 
 q2 2
y
 v Sij
ui
xi
  q2
 Cv 1   (r ) 2
2l

where
q 2 u '2  v'2  w'2 Turbulence Kinetic Energy
 ,
2 2

 Dimensionless Turbulent Viscosity

1  ui u j 
Sij   Mean Strain Rate
2  x j xi 


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(b) ONE-EQUATION MODELS

Advantages
-Additional assumptions can be avoided.
-Break from the equilibrium concepts in a practical consderation.

Disadvantages
-The length scale is still a algebraic quantity.
-Computationally more difficult.

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(c) TWO-EQUATION MODELS

Turbulence K.E.

 k   
2
k u i   T  k 1/ 2 
u j   ij    
       2  


x j x j x j  k  x j    x j  


Dissipation Rate

    
2
  u i T  2 2T  u 2
u j  C1  ij    
    C2   2 
x j k x j x j    x j  k   x2 

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(c) TWO-EQUATION MODELS

Advantages
-Overcomes the short comings of zero and one equation model.

Disadvantages
-Not appropriate to use in a viscous sublayer.
-Still need to make assumptions.

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[Link] Stress Models

Advantages
-More General than Eddy-Viscosity Models.
-Better Prediction for flow with sudden changes.
-Possible Ultimate turbulence models.

Disadvantages
-None of the equations can be solved exactly.
-Computational difficulty because of more no. of PDE.

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Causes of Turbulent Motion .
Steady State.
Mass Weighted averaging.

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