Turbulence Modeling

Cuong Nguyen
November 05, 2005

1
1.1

Incompressible Case
Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations

The incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in conservation form are

ui
=0
xi

(1)

ui

+
(uj ui ) =
+
(2sij )
t
xj
xi xj

(2)

where the strain-rate tensor sij is given by



1 ui uj
sij =
+
.
2 xj
xi

(3)

By the application of Eq. (1), the equations of motion can be written as

ui
ui
p
2 ui
+ uj
=
+
.
t
xj
xi
xi xj

(4)

In turbulent flows, the field properties become random functions of space and time.
Hence, the field variables ui and p must be expressed as the sum of mean and fluctuating
parts as
ui = Ui + u0i , p = P + p0 .
(5)
where the mean and fluctuating parts satisfy
u i = Ui ,

u0i = 0
p0 = 0

p = P,

(6)
(7)

with the bar denoting the time average.

We insert Eq. (5) into (1)-(2) and take the time average to arrive at the Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations

Ui
=0
xi

(8)

Ui

+
(Ui Uj ) =
+
(2Sij u0i u0j ) ,
t
xj
xi xj

(9)

where Sij is the mean strain-rate tensor



1 Ui Uj
Sij =
+
.
2 xj
xi

(10)

The quantity ij = u0i u0j is known as the Reynolds stress tensor which is symmetric
and thus has six components. By the application of (8) Eq. (9) can then be expressed as
u0i u0j
Ui
P
2 Ui
Ui
+ Uj
=
+

.
t
xj
xi
xi xj
xj

(11)

By decomposing the instantaneous properties into mean and fluctuating parts, we have
introduced 3 unknown quantities. Unfortunately, we have gain no additional equations.
This means our system is not yet closed. To close the system, we must find enough
equations to solve for our unknowns. In what follows, we describe several approaches
(turbulence models) for solving the RANS equations.

1.2
1.2.1

Turbulence Models
Boussinesq Approximation

The Reynolds-averaged approach to turbulence modeling requires that the Reynolds

stresses in Equation (11) be appropriately modeled. A common method employs the
Boussinesq hypothesis to relate the Reynolds stresses to the mean velocity gradients
2
u0i u0j = 2T Sij kij
3

(12)

where the turbulence kinetic energy, k, is defined as

1
k = u0i u0i ,
2

(13)

and T is the kinetic eddy viscosity assumed as an isotropic scalar quantity which
is not strictly true so that the term approximation is appropriate.
1.2.2

Spalart-Allmaras Model

In Spalart-Allmaras Model, the turbulence kinetic energy is not calculated, the last term
in Equation (12) is ignored when estimating the Reynolds stresses
u0i u0j = 2T Sij .

(14)

The model includes eight closure coefficients and three closure functions. Its defining
equations are as follows:
T = fv1 ,

fv1 =

3
,
3 + c3v1

is the molecular viscosity and obeys the transport equations



 2


cb2

+ Uj
= cb1 S +
( + )
+
cw1 fw
t
xj
xk
xk
xk xk
d
2

(15)

(16)

where
cb1 = 0.1355,
cw1 =
fv2

cb2 = 0.622,

cb1 (1 + cb2 )
,
+
2

=1
,
1 + fv1

cv1 = 7.1,

cw2 = 0.3,

1 + c6
fw = g 6 w3
g + c6w3


= 2/3

cw3 = 2,
1/6
,

(17)

= 0.41

(18)

g = r + cw2 (r6 r)

(19)

(20)
, S = S + 2 2 fv2 , S = 2ij ij .
2 d2
d
S
The tensor ij = 12 (Ui /xj Uj /xi ) is the rotation tensor and d is distance from the
closest surface.
r=

1.2.3

The k Model

The k model has been modified over the years, production terms have been added to
both the k and equations, which have improved the accuracy of the model for predicting
free shear flows. The following version of the k model is presented
Kinetic eddy viscosity:
T = k/
(21)
Turbulence Kinetic Energy:



k
Ui
k
k

+ Uj
= ij
k +
( + T )
t
xj
xj
xj
xj

(22)

Specific Dissipation rate:



Ui

2
= ij
+
+ Uj
( + T )
t
xj
k xj
xj
xj

(23)

Closure Coefficients and Relations:

=

13
,
25

o =
9
o =
,
100

= o f ,
9
,
125

f =
(

f =

1
1
= , =
2
2


 ij jk Ski 

, = 
(o )3 

= o f ,
1 + 70
,
1 + 80

k 0
,
k > 0

` = k/

1,
1+6802k
,
1+4002k

 = k,

k =

1 k
3 xj xj

(24)
(25)
(26)
(27)

1.2.4

The Standard k  Model

The standard k  model is a semi-empirical model based on model transport equations

for the turbulence kinetic energy k and its dissipation rate . The model transport
equation for k is derived from the exact equation, while the model transport equation for
 was obtained using physical reasoning and bears little resemblance to its mathematically
exact counterpart.
In the derivation of the k  model, it was assumed that the flow is fully turbulent,
and the effects of molecular viscosity are negligible. The standard k  model is therefore
valid only for fully turbulent flows.
Kinetic eddy viscosity:
T = C k 2 /
(28)
Turbulence Kinetic Energy:


k
Ui

k
k
+ Uj
= ij
+
( + T /k )
t
xj
xj
xj
xj

(29)

Specific Dissipation rate:






 Ui
2

+ Uj
= C1 ij
C2 +
( + T / )
t
xj
k xj
k
xj
xj

(30)

Closure Coefficients and Relations:

C1 = 1.44,

C2 = 1.92,

C = 0.09,

2.1
2.1.1

 = 1.3

` = C k 3/2 /

= /(C k),

k = 1.0,

(31)
(32)

Compressible Case
Favre-averaged Equations
Gorverning equations

The compressible Navier-Stokes equations in conservation form are

+
(ui ) = 0
t xi

p
tij
(ui ) +
(uj ui ) =
+
t
xj
xi xj
 





qj
e + ui ui
+
uj h + ui ui
=
(uj tij )
t
2
xj
2
xj
xj

(33)
(34)
(35)

where e is specific internal energy, h = e+p/ is specific enthalpy, tij is the viscous
stress tensor, and qj is the heat flux vector. For gases, the classical ideal gas law is
p = RT = ( 1)e .
4

(36)

For the compressible flow, tij , is given by



1 uk
ij .
tij = 2 sij
3 xk
where the strain-rate tensor sij is given by


1 ui uj
sij =
+
.
2 xj
xi

(37)

(38)

The convective heat flux qj is defined as

qj =

T
xj

(39)

where is thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the specific internal energy and specific
enthalpy are given by
e = cv T,
h = cp T
(40)
where cv and cp are the specific-heat coefficients (note that = cp /cv and R = cp cv ).
Then, we have
h
h
=
(41)
qj = /cp
xj
P r xj
where P r is the Prandtl number defined by
Pr =
2.1.2

cp
.

(42)

Mass Averaging

Let (x, t) be any dependent variable. We recall the time (Reynolds) average of P hi(x, t)
defined by
Z
1
(x, t) =
(x, t)dt
(43)
T T
and the Reynolds decomposition defined as
= + 0 .

(44)

We now introduce the density weighted time (Favre) average

=

(45)

+ 00 .
=

(46)

and define the Favre decomposition as

It should be noted that 0 = 0 but 00 6= 0.

2.1.3

Turbulent Equations

We first introduce the Reynolds decomposition for and p and the Favre decomposition
for u, e, and h as
p = p + p0 ,
q = q + q0
(47)
= + 0 ,
00
00
+ h00 .
e = e + e ,
ui = ui + ui ,
h=h
(48)
We next insert them into the governing equations and the take the time average for the
governing equations to obtain

+
(
ui ) = 0
(49)
t xi

p
tij

00 00
(
ui ) +
(
ui uj ) =
+

(ui uj )
t
xj
xi xj
xj

(50)

"
#
 




00 00
u
1
1 00 00
1
u

+ ui ui + uj i i =
e + ui ui + ui ui +

uj h
t
2
2
xj
2
2
 



00 00
00 00
00
00 1 00 00
ui tij ui uj q uj h + tji ui uj ui ui
(51)
xj
2
p = ( 1)
e
2.1.4

(52)

Approximations

Reynolds-stress tensor:
00

00

ij = ui uj = 2T

2.2

1 uk
ij
Sij
3 xk

Turbulence Models

2
kij
3

(53)