Outline

Introduction to turbulence
Modelling turbulent flows
Reynolds Averaging Navier-Stokes (RANS)
Models
Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
Large Eddy Simulation (LES)
Summary
Introduction to turbulence
Most flows in nature and in engineering applications are turbulent.
Turbulent flows exhibit three-dimensional, unsteady, fluctuating , y, g
motion.
Turbulence enhances mixing of momentum, heat and species.
Turbulence mixing acts to dissipate momentum and the kinetic energy Turbulence mixing acts to dissipate momentum and the kinetic energy
in the flow by viscosity acting to reduce velocity gradients..
( )
( ) t u'
u
( ) t u u u ' + =
( )
u
Time
Turbulence Modeling: Objectives g j
Physics of turbulence is quite complex
F i i li i h bj i i fi b i b i For engineering applications, the objective is to first obtain a basic
understanding of turbulence and then model the phenomenon (often
semi-empirically) to predict the most important quantities such as
effective drag (or shear stress) and heat transfer rate (or Nusselt
number).
Traditionally engineers had to depend solely on experiments for Traditionally, engineers had to depend solely on experiments for
estimating turbulence related quantities. However, even now,
experiments are required to accurately determine some of the constants
(or coefficients) required in modelling.
In some applications turbulence is desirable (such as in fluid mixing,
heat transfer), while in many cases we need to minimize (or avoid)
turbulence. Modelling allows us to design and optimize engineering
systems in a cost effective manner.
Modeling Techniques in Turbulent Flows
Turbulent flows can be modeled in a variety of ways. With increasing
levels of complexity they are:
Correlations (derived entirely from experiments)
Moodys chart, Nusselt number correlations
ReynoldsAveragedNavier Stokes(RANS) equations Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations
Average the equations of motion over time
Requires closure
Si i ( S) Large Eddy Simulation (LES)
Solve Navier-Stokes equations for large scale motions of the
flow. Model only the small scale motions
Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
Navier-Stokes equations solved for all motions in the turbulent
flow, upto the smallest eddy scale
Turbulence Modeling
Approaches Approaches
Empirical (Zero-Equation Models)
One-Equation Models
Two-Equation Models
Standard k-c
RNG k-c
More Physics,
more intensive
t ti ll
RNG k-c
Second-order closure
Reynolds-Stress Model
computationally
Large-Eddy Simulation
Direct Numerical Simulation Direct Numerical Simulation
Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes y g
(RANS) Models
In many engineering applications, resolving the turbulence flow
structure is not very important.
Rather, it is suffice to obtain key flow quantities of engineering Rather, it is suffice to obtain key flow quantities of engineering
interest (such as wall shear stress, Nusselt number, time
averaged velocity and pressure distribution etc.)
The approach would be to solve Navier Stokes equation at a The approach would be to solve Navier Stokes equation at a
coarse grid (much larger than the turbulence eddy scale), but
model the turbulence by averaging the unsteadiness.
This averaging process creates terms that cannot be solved
analytically but must be modeled. This is the basis of RANS
model.
V l it l tit b l d i t (ti
RANS Equations
Velocity or any scalar quantity can be resolved into a mean (time
averaged) value and a fluctuating component, as follows:
( ) t ' | | | + =
The eddy effects of all scales are hidden in the fluctuating component
Using the above relationship for velocity(let f = u) in the Navier-Stokes
( ) t | | | + =
g p y( f )
equations gives
( )
( )
(
|
|

|
c
c c c c c
u

Thi t i ll d th R ld St i hi h th dd ff t
( )
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
c
c
+
c
c
=
' '
+
c
c
+
c
c
i
j
j
i
j i
j i j i
j
i
x
u
x
u
x x
p
u u u u
x t
u

This term is called the Reynolds Stress in which the eddy effects are
hidden, but no separate equations are available at the macroscopic
scale. Hence the above equation is not closed. Closure involves
modeling the Reynolds Stresses modeling the Reynolds Stresses.
Closure of RANS equations
The RANS equations contain more unknowns than
equations.
The unknowns are the Reynolds Stress terms.
Closure Models are:
ti b l d l zero-equationturbulence models
Mixing length model (no transport equation used)
one-equationturbulence models
i d ll d f b l ki i k transport equation modelled for turbulent kinetic energy k
two-equationmodels
transport equation modelled for turbulent kinetic energy k and its
eddy dissipation rate eddy dissipation rate
second-order closure
Reynolds Stress Model
d t B i i ti fi t d l does not use Bousinesq approximation as first-order closure
models
Modeling Turbulent Stresses in Two-
RANS equations require closure for Reynolds stresses and the
g
Equation Models
RANS equations require closure for Reynolds stresses and the
effect of turbulence can be represented as an eddy viscosity
Boussinesq Hypothesis:
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
+ =
i
j
j
i
t ij j i
x
u
x
u
k u u o
3
2
c


2
k
C
t
Turbulent Viscosity:
. \
i j
The turbulent viscosity is correlated with turbulent kinetic energy k
and the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy
Turbulent kinetic energy and
dissipation dissipation
Transport equations for turbulent kinetic energy and its
di i i l d h b l i i b dissipation rate are solved so that turbulent viscosity can be
computed for RANS equations.
Turbulent
Kinetic Energy:
Dissipation Rate of
Turbulent Kinetic Energy:
( )
z z y y x x i i
u u u u u u u u k
' '
+
' '
+
' '
=
' '
=
2
1
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
c
c

i
j
j
i
j
i
x
u
x
u
x
u
v c
2 2
. \
i j j
St d d k M d l Standard k- Model
Turbulent Kinetic Energy Turbulent Kinetic Energy

c o
)
`

c
c
c
c
+
c
c
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
=
c
c
k t
j
i
j
t i
x
k
x x
U
x
U
x
U
x
k
U ) (
Dissipation Rate
Convection
Generation Diffusion
Dissipation

)
c c c
|
.

\
c c c



i i i j i i
x x x x x x
Dissipation Rate
|
|
.
|

\
|

)
`

c
c
c
c
+
c
c
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
|
.
|

\
|
=
c
c
k
C
x x x
U
x
U
x
U
k
C
x
U
t
j
i
j
t i
2
2 1
) (
c

c
o
c c

c c c
Destruction
Convection
Generation Diffusion



. \ )
c c c
|
.

\
c c
. \
c k x x x x x k x
i i i j i i
c c c
o o
2 1 ,
, , C C
k
are empirical constants
Some notes on the k- model
The two-equation k- model based on the eddy q y
viscosity approximation provides excellent
predictions for many flows of engineering interest.
However, this model does not work well for high
strain rates , separated flows and strongly 3D
fl flows
The RNG k- model is an improvement over the
t d d k f th l f fl b standard k- for these classes of flow by
incorporating the influence of additional strains
rates A higher-order closure approximation can rates. A higher order closure approximation can
be also applied .
RNG k- Model RNG k Model
Turbulent Kinetic Energy
| |
c c c k k
Dissipation

c o
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
c
c
+ =
c
c


i
k
i
t
i
i
x
k
x
S
x
k
U
eff
2
Generation
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c

i
j
ij ij ij
x
U
x
U
S S S S
2
1
, 2
where
Dissipation Rate
Convection
Diffusion
p


|
.

\
c c
j i
j j j
x x 2
p
Additi l t

R
k
C
x x
S
k
C
x
U
i i
t
i
i

|
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
c
c
+
|
.
|

\
|
=
c
c
2
2 eff
2
1
c

c
o
c c

c c c
Additional term
related to mean strain
& turbulence quantities
Convection Generation Diffusion Destruction
i i i . \ . \
. \



are derived using RNG theory
c c c
o o
2 1 ,
, , C C
k
Second-Order Closure models
The Second-Order Closure Models include the effects of
streamline curvature, sudden changes in strain rate, secondary
motions, separated or vortex flows etc. motions, separated or vortex flows etc.
This class of models is more complex and computationally
intensive than the RANS models
The Reynolds-Stress Model (RSM) is a second-order closure
model and gives rise to 6 Reynolds stress equations and the
dissipation rate equation dissipation rate equation
ijk ij
J
P
R
U
c
u
c
Reynolds Stress Transport Equation
k
ijk
ij ij ij
k
ij
k
x
P
x
U
c
+ u + =
c
c
Pressure Strain
Diffusion
Convection
Generation
Pressure-Strain
redistribution
Dissipation
Reynolds Stress Model Reynolds Stress Model
Generation
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c

i
k j
j
k i ij
U
u u
U
u u P
(computed)
|
.

\
c c
k
k j
k
k i ij
x x
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
'
u
j
i
ij
x
u
x
u
p
Pressure-Strain
Redistribution
(modeled)
( p )
|
.

\
c c
i j
x x
k
j
k
i
ij
x
u
x
u
c
c
c
c
c 2
Dissipation
(related to c)
k k
c c
Turbulent
Diffusion
(modeled)
Pressure/velocity Turbulent

k j i ik j jk i ijk
u u u u p u p J o o +
'
+
'

y
fluctuations transport
Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS)
In DNS, the full Navier Stokes equations are solved,
ith id i ll h t l ll t l with grid sizes small enough to resolve smallest scales
of turbulence, called ``Kolmogorov scale.
DNS is the most exact approach to modeling DNS is the most exact approach to modeling
turbulence since no averaging is done or
approximations are made
The grid size depends on the Reynolds number. The
larger the Re, the smaller the grid size required. A
DNS i l ti l ith R
3
( L/ ) h R DNS simulation scales with Re
L
3
(u L/n) where Re
L
~
0.01Re. Turbulent flow past a cylinder would require
at least (0.01 20,000)
3
or 8 million cells ( , )
DNS (contd ) DNS (contd.)
Given the present computational resources p p
available, only very low to modest Reynolds
number flows with simple geometries are possible.
Advantages: Gives insight into turbulent flow
with proper physics; can be used for bench-
ki h b l d l marking other turbulence models.
Disadvantages: Computationally intensive;
li it d t i l t i d l R ld limited to simple geometries and low Reynolds
number flows.
LES (contd ) LES (contd.)
u
DNS
LES
DNS
LES
LES is a three dimensional, time dependent and computationally
t
p p y
expensive simulation, though not as expensive as DNS.
LES solves the large scale eddies and models the small scale eddies of
the turbulent flow.
Large scale eddies contain most of the flow energy, hence responsible
for the transport of conserved properties.
LES (contd.)
The large scale components of the flow field are filtered
from the small scale components using a wavelength
criteria related to the size of the eddies criteria related to the size of the eddies
The filter produces the following equation and used to
model the small scale motions
( )
(
| |
Wh
( )
( )
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
c
c
+
c
c
c
c
+
c
c
=
c
c
+
c
c
i
j
j
i
j i j
j i
i
x
u
x
u
x x
p
x
u u
t
u

Where
The inequality is then modeled as
j i j i
u u u u =
( )
j i j i ij
u u u u = t
t
ij
is called the subgrid scale Reynolds Stress. Different
subgrid scale models are available to approximate t
ij
.
( )
j i j i ij
u u u u t
Summary Summary
Turbulent flows exist in a wide range of Reynolds number
and with varying degrees of complexity and with varying degrees of complexity.
For solving most engineering problems, RANS models turns
out to be the most practical ones. However, these methods p
do not reveal the flow physics adequately, and are not
effective for complex flows.
DNS and LES predict the flow physics better but are yet to DNS and LES predict the flow physics better, but are yet to
be used regularly as engineering tools. In the near future,
these methods hold a lot of promise.
MODULE 8 Review Questions
Explain why normal CFD techniques are unable to capture the fluctuations
in turbulent flow? How small should the grid sizes be in order to do so? g
Explain the physical significance of Reynolds stress.
Explain the physics behind the RANS model. Why is closure required for
h d l ? H i th l i t d d? C t b l t fl t t such models? How is the closure introduced? Can turbulent flow structures
be predicted using such models?
In k- turbulence modelling, how are the coefficients obtained? Can those
coefficients be applicable for all kinds of flows?
How accurate are k- models in predicting wall shear stress and mean flow?
Explain how RNG k- model provides an improvement in prediction. Explain how RNG k model provides an improvement in prediction.
State the additional features of Second-Order Closure Models.
How do you choose the grid sizes in Direct Numerical Simulation?
In LES, how are the small eddies modeled?
On what basis is filtering performed in LES?