Explicit Algebraic Stress Model for Three-Dimensional Turbulent Buoyant Flows Derived Using Tensor Representation

Abstract

An explicit algebraic stress model (EASM) has been formulated for two-dimensional turbulent buoyant flows using a five-term tensor representation in a prior study. The derivation was based on partitioning the buoyant flux tensor into a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional component. The five-term basis was formed with the two-dimensional component of the buoyant flux tensor. As such, the derived EASM is limited to two-dimensional flows only. In this paper, a more general approach using a seven-term representation without partitioning the buoyant flux tensor is used to derive an EASM valid for two- and three-dimensional turbulent buoyant flows. Consequently, the basis tensors are formed with the fully three-dimensional buoyant flux tensor. The derived EASM has the two-dimensional flow as a special case. The matrices and the representation coefficients are further simplified using a four-term representation. When this four-term representation model is applied to calculate two-dimensional homogeneous buoyant flows, the results are essentially identical with those obtained previously using the two-dimensional component of the buoyant flux tensor. Therefore, the present approach leads to a more general EASM formulation that is equally valid for two- and three-dimensional turbulent buoyant flows.