A novel LES method for predicting drag reduction in viscoelastic fluid based on the time period of turbulence structures

Abstract

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent channel flow of viscoelastic fluid were performed with the Oldroyd-B model as a constitutive equation to identify the temporal characteristics of turbulence structures. First, using the results of the DNS in a minimal flow unit (MFU), temporal variations in the energy input and dissipation rates in fully developed wall turbulence of viscoelastic fluid were observed and compared with those of Newtonian fluid. Then, a modified time scale reflecting the local turbulence state was proposed by considering the temporal variation in the viscous stretching stress intensity. It was also found that the idea of the modified time scale could be extended and applied locally to viscoelastic fluid turbulence in a more significant computational domain than MFU to investigate the temporal characteristics of the turbulence structures. Finally, using the local modified time scale, a prediction method employing large eddy simulation for Newtonian fluid turbulence was extended for viscoelastic fluid turbulence. We proved that the drag reduction of viscoelastic fluid turbulence could be accurately predicted with a drag reduction ratio of approximately 40% by using the local modified time scale and the model in the constitutive equation. • The characteristics of viscoelastic fluid turbulence were observed from DNS results. • Active and hibernating turbulence states were compared with those in Newtonian fluid. • A local modified time scale which reflected the local turbulence state was proposed. • LES was extended using the modified time scale for viscoelastic fluid turbulence. • The proposed LES could predict the drag reduction of viscoelastic fluid turbulence.