Applying resolved-scale linearly forced isotropic turbulence in rational subgrid-scale modeling

Abstract

In previous attempts of rational subgrid-scale (SGS) modeling by employing the Kolmogorov equation of filtered (KEF) quantities, it was necessary to assume that the resolved-scale second-order structure function is stationary. Forced isotropic turbulence is often used as a framework for establishing and validating such SGS models based on stationary restrictions, for it generates statistical stationary samples. However, traditional forcing method at low wavenumbers cannot provide an analytic form of forcing term for a complete KEF in physical space, which has been illustrated to be essential in the modeling of such SGS models. Thus, an alternative forcing method giving an analytic forcing term in physical space is needed for rational SGS modeling. Giving an analytic linear driving term in physical space, linearly forced isotropic turbulence should be considered an ideal theoretical framework for rational SGS modeling. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a rational SGS model with stationary restriction based on linearly forced isotropic turbulence. The performance of this rational SGS model is validated. We, therefore, propose the use of linearly forced isotropic turbulence as a complement to free-decaying isotropic turbulence and low-wavenumber forced isotropic turbulence for SGS model validations.