Modeling Complex Turbulent Flows

Turbulence modeling both addresses a fundamental problem in physics, 'the last great unsolved problem of classical physics,' and has far-reaching importance in the solution of difficult practical problems from aeronautical engineering to dynamic meteorology. However, the growth of supercom puter facilities has recently caused an apparent shift in the focus of tur bulence research from modeling to direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES). This shift in emphasis comes at a time when claims are being made in the world around us that scientific analysis itself will shortly be transformed or replaced by a more powerful 'paradigm' based on massive computations and sophisticated visualization. Although this viewpoint has not lacked ar ticulate and influential advocates, these claims can at best only be judged premature. After all, as one computational researcher lamented, 'the com puter only does what I tell it to do, and not what I want it to do. ' In turbulence research, the initial speculation that computational meth ods would replace not only model-based computations but even experimen tal measurements, have not come close to fulfillment. It is becoming clear that computational methods and model development are equal partners in turbulence research: DNS and LES remain valuable tools for suggesting and validating models, while turbulence models continue to be the preferred tool for practical computations. We believed that a symposium which would reaffirm the practical and scientific importance of turbulence modeling was both necessary and timely.

This book allows readers to tackle the challenges of turbulent flow problems with confidence. It covers the fundamentals of turbulence, various modeling approaches, and experimental studies. The fundamentals section includes isotropic turbulence and anistropic turbulence, turbulent flow dynamics, free shear layers, turbulent boundary layers and plumes. The modeling section focuses on topics such as eddy viscosity models, standard K-E Models, Direct Numerical Stimulation, Large Eddy Simulation, and their applications. The measurement of turbulent fluctuations experiments in isothermal and stratified turbulent flows are explored in the experimental methods section. Special topics include modeling of near wall turbulent flows, compressible turbulent flows, and more.

obtained are still severely limited to low Reynolds numbers (about only one decade better than direct numerical simulations), and the interpretation of such calculations for complex, curved geometries is still unclear. It is evident that a lot of work (and a very significant increase in available computing power) is required before such methods can be adopted in daily's engineering practice. I hope to l"Cport on all these topics in a near future. The book is divided into six chapters, each· chapter in subchapters, sections and subsections. The first part is introduced by Chapter 1 which summarizes the equations of fluid mechanies, it is developed in C~apters 2 to 4 devoted to the construction of turbulence models. What has been called "engineering methods" is considered in Chapter 2 where the Reynolds averaged equations al"C established and the closure problem studied (§1-3). A first detailed study of homogeneous turbulent flows follows (§4). It includes a review of available experimental data and their modeling. The eddy viscosity concept is analyzed in §5 with the l"Csulting ~alar-transport equation models such as the famous K-e model. Reynolds stl"Css models (Chapter 4) require a preliminary consideration of two-point turbulence concepts which are developed in Chapter 3 devoted to homogeneous turbulence. We review the two-point moments of velocity fields and their spectral transforms (§ 1), their general dynamics (§2) with the particular case of homogeneous, isotropie turbulence (§3) whel"C the so-called Kolmogorov's assumptions are discussed at length.

A selection of invited chapters focusing on developments in the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to compressible or incompressible flows dominated by turbulence effects. These may be applied to complex geometrical configurations or flow-fields in simpler geometries requiring higher-order turbulence modelling, or suitably modified low-order models, to calculate crucial parameters such as instabilities, transition, separation, accurate description of velocity and scalar fields, and local and total forces.

This book provides students and researchers in fluid engineering with an up-to-date overview of turbulent flow research in the areas of simulation and modeling. A key element of the book is the systematic, rational development of turbulence closure models and related aspects of modern turbulent flow theory and prediction. Starting with a review of the spectral dynamics of homogenous and inhomogeneous turbulent flows, succeeding chapters deal with numerical simulation techniques, renormalization group methods and turbulent closure modeling. Each chapter is authored by recognized leaders in their respective fields, and each provides a thorough and cohesive treatment of the subject.

Mathematical Modeling for Complex Fluids and Flows provides researchers and engineering practitioners encountering fluid flows with state-of-the-art knowledge in continuum concepts and associated fluid dynamics. In doing so it supplies the means to design mathematical models of these flows that adequately express the engineering physics involved. It exploits the implicit link between the turbulent flow of classical Newtonian fluids and the laminar and turbulent flow of non-Newtonian fluids such as those required in food processing and polymeric flows. The book develops a descriptive mathematical model articulated through continuum mechanics concepts for these non-Newtonian, viscoelastic fluids and turbulent flows. Each complex fluid and flow is examined in this continuum context as well as in combination with the turbulent flow of viscoelastic fluids. Some details are also explored via kinetic theory, especially viscoelastic fluids and their treatment with the Boltzmann equation. Both solution and modeling strategies for turbulent flows are laid out using continuum concepts, including a description of constructing polynomial representations and accounting for non-inertial and curvature effects. Ranging from fundamental concepts to practical methodology, and including discussion of emerging technologies, this book is ideal for those requiring a single-source assessment of current practice in this intricate yet vital field.

Most natural and industrial flows are turbulent. The atmosphere and oceans, automobile and aircraft engines, all provide examples of this ubiquitous phenomenon. In recent years, turbulence has become a very lively area of scientific research and application, and this work offers a grounding in the subject of turbulence, developing both the physical insight and the mathematical framework needed to express the theory. Providing a solid foundation in the key topics in turbulence, this valuable reference resource enables the reader to become a knowledgeable developer of predictive tools. This central and broad ranging topic would be of interest to graduate students in a broad range of subjects, including aeronautical and mechanical engineering, applied mathematics and the physical sciences. The accompanying solutions manual to the text also makes this a valuable teaching tool for lecturers and for practising engineers and scientists in computational and experimental and experimental fluid dynamics.

The numerical simulation of turbulent flows is a subject of great practical importance to scientists and engineers. The difficulty in achieving predictive simulations is perhaps best illustrated by the wide range of approaches that have been developed and are still being used by the turbulence modeling community. In this book the authors describe one of these approaches, Implicit Large Eddy Simulation (ILES). ILES is a relatively new approach that combines generality and computational efficiency with documented success in many areas of complex fluid flow. This book synthesizes the theoretical basis of the ILES methodology and reviews its accomplishments. ILES pioneers and lead researchers combine here their experience to present a comprehensive description of the methodology. This book should be of fundamental interest to graduate students, basic research scientists, as well as professionals involved in the design and analysis of complex turbulent flows.