Turbulence and Its Physical Modeling 3/3: Michel Visonneau

LES turbulence closures
Hybrid RANSE/LES formulations

Applications
Conclusions and perspectives on LES and hybrid RANSE/LES modeling
Turbulence and its physical modeling 3/3

Michel VISONNEAU
LHEEA - CNRS UMR 6598
Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes, FRANCE
CFD in ship hydrodynamics - Kul.24-Z course

November - December, 2013
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Outline of lecture 3
Large Eddy Simulation strategy

Hybrid RANSE-LES formulations
Illustrations on 3D turbulent flows
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Applications

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Large Eddy Simulation strategy (LES)
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Foundations of the LES strategy 1/2
A turbulent flow contain a large range of different scales. The large

scale motions are much more energetic than the small scales and it
would be wise to devise a simulation method treating more accurately
the large eddies than the small ones.
LES is such a method : Three-dimensional, unsteady and quite
expensive (but much less than Direct Numerical Simulation !)
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Applications
Foundations of the LES strategy 2/2
How can we define the quantities to be computed ? By filtering !

Z
ui (x ) = G(x , x 0 )ui (x 0 )dx 0
(1)
where G(x,x) is a localized function called filtering kernel.

Each filter may be associated with a length scale , which means that
eddies larger than will be computed, smaller ones will be filtered
and should be modeled.
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Applications
Filtered Incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

ui ui uj
p
ui uj
+
=
+
+
t
xj
xi xj
xj xi
(2a)
ui
=0
xi
(2b)
By introducing the subgrid Reynolds stress by : Sij = (ui uj ui ui )

ui ui uj
p
ui uj
S
+
=
+
+
+ ij
t
xj
xi xj
xj xi
which really looks like the Unsteady RANSE.
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(3)

Applications
Kinetic energy transport equation 1/2

By averaging the instantaneous kinetic energy, E (x , t ) = 21 U U, one
obtains E = 21 U U, which can be decomposed into E = Ef + kr where
Ef = 12 U U, filtered kinetic energy kr = 12 R
ii .
The conservation equation of Ef is obtained by multiplying the
momentum conservation equation by Uj , which leads to :
p
Ef
Ef
+ Uj
[U j (2S ij ij r ij )] = f Pr
t
xj xi
(4)
with the following definitions : f = 2S ij S ij , for the viscous dissipation

and Pr = rij S ij for the rate of production.
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Kinetic energy transport equation 2/2
Estimate of normalized quantities vs the filter width

in the viscous sub-layer for high Re (from Pope)
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Smagorinski-like models
Formulation
The most popular model was proposed by Smagorinski in 1963. It is a
linear eddy-viscosity based model:
1
Sij Skk ij = t
ui uj
+
xj xi
where t is an eddy-viscosity which is defined by :
t = CS2 2 Sij Sij
1/2
and CS 0.2
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Remarks
Of course, CS should not be uniform in reality and there are many

proposals to introduce specific formulas based, for instance, on
Van-Driest damping close to the wall!!
+
+
CS = CS0 1 en /A
2
where n+ = nu / is the normal distance to the wall, U =

the shear velocity and A+ = 25.
(6)
W / is
Such a non-local expression is not in agreement with the fundations of

a SGS model !
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Applications
Dynamic models - Formulation from Germano et al. (1990)

An idea of a self-consistent procedure 1/2
Let us introduce two filtering procedures, the grid filter g and the test
filter t which is characterized by a wider length scale
ij = (ui uj )g uig ujg
(7)
Filtering again with the test filter provides a different subgrid scale
stress
gt gt
(8)
Tij = (ui uj )gt ui uj
g g
gt gt
The tensor Lij = Tij tij = (ui uj )t ui uj describes the resolved

turbulent stresses. The so-called Germano identity may be used to
compute dynamically the local values of CS by applying the
Smagorinski model to Tij and ij .
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An idea of a self-consistent procedure 2/2
1
Lij Lkk ij = 2CS Mij
3
where:
Mij = t
2

t
|S gt |Sijgt (g )2 |S g |Sijg
(9)
(10)
CS may be computed as :
g
CS =
1 Lkl Skl
2 Mmn Smn
(11)
or as proposed by Lilly (1991)

CS =
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1 Lkl Mkl
2 Mmn Mmn
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Applications
Subgrid tensor
Expression
Zone of usage
ij
ui uj ui uj
l <
Tij
d
bb
u
i uj ui uj
b
l <
Lij
Tij bij
b
<l <
Table: Sub grid tensors for the dynamic LES models
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Applications
References
Germano, M., Piomelli, U., Moin, P. and Cabot, W. H. (1991), "A
Dynamic Subgrid-Scale Eddy Viscosity Model", Physics of Fluids
A, Vol. 3, No. 7, pp. 1760-1765.
Lilly, D. K. (1991), "A Proposed Modification of the Germano
Subgrid-Scale Closure Method", Physics of Fluids A, Vol. 4, No.
3, pp. 633-635.
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Applications
Dynamic models - Advantages
In shear flows, the dynamic model is able to reduce automatically

the Smagorinski model parameter CS ,
It also decreases it in a correct manner close to the wall,
It compensates the use of inadequate length scale for anisotropic
grids by changing the value of the parameter
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Applications
Dynamic models - WALE (Wall-Adapting Local

Eddy-viscosity) subgrid model from Nicoud & Ducros (1999)
1/4
The subgrid model should be based on a flow invariant representative

of turbulence, which may be the velocity gradient ( gij ). Smagorinski
has selected the second invariant of the symmetric part of this tensor,
which leads to several limitations:
There is no contribution of the rotation rate,
Close to the wall, this invariant is O (1), which leads to the
unphysical behaviour of the turbulent viscority t O (1) close to
the wall.
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2/4
Nicoud & Ducros (1999) propose to introduce the symmetric part of
the velocity gradient squared:
1
2
sdij = (gij2 + gji2 ) ij gkk
, which can be expressed in terms of deformation and rotation tensors.

1
sdij sdij = (S 2 S 2 + 2 2 ) + S 2 2 + 2IVS
(13)
with IVS = Sik Skj jl li

With the use of such an invariant, the model is able to detect the
turbulent fluctuations by using the rate of strain and the rate of rotation.
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3/4
In case of a pure shear stress, this invariant will cancel, which is in

agreement with the fact that shear stress zones contribute less to
turbulence than convergent or rotational flows. In the case, for
instance, of a laminar Poiseuille flow, the turbulent diffusion will be
negligible contrary to the Smagorinskis model based on Sij Sij (large in
pure shear stress), unable to reproduce the transition from laminar to
turbulent regimes in such a configuration.
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4/4
Close to the wall (y ' 0), one can also see that the WALE formulation
sdij sdij tends to zero like y 2 , which provides a good near-wall behaviour
of the turbulent viscosity :
(sdij sdij )3/2
t = (Cw )
(Sij Sij )5/2 + (sdij sdij )5/4
where Cw is a true constant here.
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Applications
Dynamic models - Problems
This procedure produces highly varying parameter in space and

time,
It may produce negative values of the tubulent eddy viscosity
which may lead to numerical instabilities,
This may require additional time and space averaging !
Finding a good and robust model for the subgrid scale is still a subject
of current research !
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Zonal coupling methods
Applications
Continous transitional coupling methods
Hybrid LES/RANSE formulations : motivations

Although the rapid growth of the computational performance, the
computation of massive 3D flows by LES and, a-fortiori, by DNS is still
out of reach.
The simulation of flows around complete realistic airplanes is
absolutely inconceivable, because of the lack of computational
memory and power. However, the RANS modelling approach may
determine mean fields for industrial applications at low-cost and with
an acceptable accuracy if the flow is attached. It would be ideal to use
only LES in zones where a RANS modelling fails, i.e in recirculating
regions which are generally ruled by strong detached vortical
structures.
How can we build such an HYBRID LES strategy ?
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Applications
Optimistic estimate of the year of accomplishment of various

computations around a 3D wing (from Spalart (2002)
Method
2DURANS
3DURANS
DES
LES
DNS
Modelisation part
High
High
High
Weak
No
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Needed number of points

5
10
107
108
1011.5
1016
Year
1980
1995
2000
2045
2080

Applications
Hybrid LES/RANSE formulations : coupling strategies

How can we couple the RANS and LES regions ? Two approaches
can be considered :
To define a-priori the boundaries dividing each region associated
to each respective turbulence model (RANSE or LES),
To design a continous transition law between each turbulence
model depending on flow simulation parameters without
specifying a-priori the respective zones.
Remark: for both coupling strategies, there is an intermediate region
gray zone, in which occurs the transition between each formulation,
where the model used is neither RANSE nor LES and therefore has a
limited reliability.
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Hybrid LES/RANSE formulations : zonal coupling strategies

Main motivation : to decide which method will be used in which
domain i.e more control on the computational process.
One can impose to use LES in the boundary layer, a strategy
which will not be possible with DES-like modellings.
However, one has to model the exchange of information between
RANS and LES domains, a task which may seem
insurmountable...
Difficulties related with zonal coupling

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If is the interface between the RANS domain DRANS and the LES
domain DLES , NS the Navier-Stokes Equations and MT the closure
equations, the following relations have to be fulfilled :
D
RANS
Sur DRANS : NSRANS (XRANS
, X RANS ) = 0
RANS
MTRANS (XRANS
, X RANS ) = 0
LES
Sur DLES : NSLES (XLES
, X LES ) = 0
(15)
LES
MTLES (XLES
, X LES ) = 0
(16)
Where X is a flow or turbulence variable. Moreover, one should verify

that the Reynolds averaging applied to the instantaneous LES
variables does converge towards zero :
< XLES > XRANS v 0

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Applications
Two specific operators have to be built:

a Coarsening operator to build RANSE fields from LES,
an Enrichment operator to build LES from RANSE
See Qumre or Davidsson for more details.
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Hybrid LES/RANSE formulations : continous transitional

coupling strategies
This approach is based on the use of unique transport equations
valid for the whole domain but incorporating commutators often
depending on the grid fineness.
These commutators create a continuous transition from an LES
model (when the cell size is small enough) to RANSE model
when the cell size becomes too coarse to capture turbulent
vortical structures.
The most famous model in that category is DES (Detached Eddy
Simulation) proposed by Spalart although there are other
alternatives briefly described here.
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Applications
Other hybrid formulations

VLES (Very Large Eddy Simulation) proposed by Speziale, which
consists in attenuating the Reynolds Stress tensor by comparing
the cell size to the Kolmogorov scale Lk ,
LNS (Limited Numerical Scale) proposed by Batten which
compares the value of the turbulent viscosity computed with the
Smagorinski model to its RANSE counterpart. Therefore, the
RANSE value is not systematically used when the grid is coarse,
but a combination of LES and RANSE can be used, instead
SAS (Scale Adapted Simulation) is based on a modification of the
k SST model to make it sensitive to unsteady fluctuations
detected by
v
u
u Ui
u x
Lvk SAS = t 2 i
xUm2 i
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Ui
xi
2 Ui
xn2
(18)

Applications
Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - Return to the

Spalart-Allmaras model
.
This is a model based on the solution of one transport equation for
Turbulent viscosity is defined by a related variable, , and a wall

fv 1
function, fv 1 , ie : t =
. The transport
Far from the boundary layer, fv 1 is equal to 1 and t =
equation for the turbulent viscosity si therefore :

Uj = cb1 (1 fv 1 )S
t
xj

i
1h
)
+
( +
+ cb2
xj
xj
xj xj
h
i
h
i
2
cb1
cw1 fw 2 ft2
+ ft1 U 2
d
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Applications
Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - The DES-SA model 1/2

Idea: to use RANS in the neighborhood of walls and only use LES in
detached regions. Spalart et al. (1997) proposed to modify the
transport equation of SA by replacing in the destruction term, the
.
distance d by d
This DES-SA model reads :
uj
cw1 fw ( )2 + [ (( +
)
+
= cb 1S
+ cb2 2 ]
| {z }
t
xj
xj
xj
d
xj
| {z } production | {z } |
{z
}
convection
destruction
diffusion
(20)
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Applications
Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - The DES-SA model 2/2
The length scale is defined by :

= min(d , CDES ) with = max (x , y , z ) with CDES = 0.65.
d
when d , one is back with the classical Spalart-Allmaras
model close to the wall where one finds very elongated cells and
where x , z d y .
When d , becomes the length scale for the DES-SA
model.
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Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - The DES-SST model 1/2

Menter & Kuntz(2004) have proposed an adaptation of this concept to
the k SST model.
The destruction term E = k is replaced by E = kFDES
where the function FDES is defined by:
FDES = max (
Lt
CDES
, 1)
(21)
where Lt = k .
Where the mesh is fine enough, FDES is larger than 1, which increases
the dissipation term in the turbulent kinetic transport equation, reduces
the turbulent viscosity which makes the simulation more unsteady. A
larger part of the turbulence spectrum is therefore computed instead of
being modelled.
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Applications
Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - The DES-SST model 2/2

However, for some flows, FDES switches too early to the LES mode
(e.g. inside the boundary layer):
Menter & Kuntz have introduced a modification of DES-SST (the

function FSST ) in order to protect the boundary layer from a
non-desired switch to LES:
FDES = max (
Lt
CDES
(1 FSST ), 1)
(22)
with FSST = 0, F1 , F2 being the usual functions of k SST model.

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Applications
Detached-Eddy Simulation DES - The DDES (Delayed DES)

model 1/3
To protect the boundary layer from a premature switch to LES,
Menter&
Kuntz have previously introduced functions depending from
k / and distance to the wall.
Several meshes for the boundary layer. Top: mesh adapted to DES,
left : ambiguous mesh, right : mesh adapted to LES
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Applications

model 2/3
To introduce a length scale, Spalart proposes to use :
t +
rd p
Ui ,j Ui ,j 2 d 2
(23)
a parameter which is going to be equal to 1 in the Log zone and

decreases to zero at the edage of the boundary layer. this term rd will
be used in the function fd 1 tanh([8rd ]3 ) which is designed to tend
towards 1 in LES zones where rd 1 and towards 0 elsewhere, being
moreover insensitive to values of rd higher than 1 close to the wall.
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Applications

model 3/3
The above-mentioned procedure applied to DES-SA leads to a new
definition of the DES length scale:
d fd max (0, d CDES )

d
(24)
= d). If fd tends
If fd is equal to zero, one gets the RANS model (d
towards 1, then one returns to the now classical DES model where
= min(d , CDES )).
(d
To switch from DES to DDES, one just have to multiply by fd the term
which defines the difference between RANS and LES in equation 24.
Note: This is not a minor modification of DES since, once this
will not only depend on the
modification is applied, the length scale d
grid but also on the turbulent viscosity.
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Applications
Applications
Three-dimensional hill - Comparisons with Simpsons experiments

(2005)
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Applications
Three-dimensional hill - Comparisons with Simpsons

experiments (2005)
Complex flow which is highly 3D through combined streamwise and
crosswise velocity gradients :
Re = 130000, computations with ISIS-CFD with a DES-SA model
on a coarse mesh comprised of 500 000 points,
Separation over a curved smooth surface (not imposed by
geometry)
Acceleration over the top of the hill and deceleration on the
leeward side
Test case studied during the last 11th ERCOFTAC/IAHR
Workshop (2005).
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Applications

experiments (2005)
Mean streamlines
Instantaneous streamlines
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experiments (2005)
Statistic SST closure
Experiments
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DES-SA closure

Applications

experiments (2005)
0.5
Cp
Exp
kw-SST
kw-EASM
DES-SA
-0.5
-1
-2
X/h
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Applications

experiments (2005)
Exp
DES
RANS
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
Y/h
Y/h
1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0
Exp
DES
RANS
1.6
0.2
<Vx>
U velocity component
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0.5
<Vz>
1.5
W velocity component

Applications

experiments (2005)
Exp
DES
RANS
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
Y/h
Y/h
1
0.8
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
Exp
DES
RANS
1.6
0.1
0.2
<uu>
0.3
0.4
uu normal stress
0.05
0.1
<ww>
0.15
ww normal stress
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0.2

Applications
Applications
Automotive flows - The Willy body

(see the self-contained presentation on automotive flows)
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Applications
Conclusions 1/2
LES gives an answer to a fundamental drawback: RANS will

never be able to extract information from the dynamics of large
energy containing eddies,
For many applications, an accurate computation of unsteadiness
is crucial (aero-acoustics, fluid-stucture interaction,...) and RANS
is not a well-defined unsteady approach when unsteadiness is
not imposed by the boundary conditions
The computational time is still a fundamental problem which will
not be solved easily in the coming years (note that, most often,
LES grids are coarser than RANS grids, which should not be the
case!).
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Applications
Conclusions 2/2
LES-like approach is by far the best one when the flow is

dominated by vortex-shedding phenomena, large recirculating
zones and can potentially model transition from laminar to
turbulent regimes,
A huge effort has to be invested to make LES as reliable as
RANS from a numerical point of view,
Well established Verification and Validation procedures are
urgently needed to impose in the long term this promising
modeling strategy.
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Turbulence and Its Physical Modeling 3/3: Michel Visonneau

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LES turbulence closures

Hybrid RANSE/LES formulations