Modeling rotational effects in eddy-viscosity closures

Abstract

A new approach to sensitize turbulence closures based on the linear eddy-viscosity hypothesis to rotational effects is proposed. The principal idea is to `mimic' the behavior of a second moment closure (SMC) in rotating homogeneous shear flow; depending on the ratio of the mean flow to the imposed rotational time scales, the model should be able to bifurcate between two stable equilibrium solutions. These solutions correspond to exponential or algebraic time dependent growth or decay of turbulent kinetic energy. This fundamental behavior of SMCs is believed to be of importance also in the prediction of non-equilibrium turbulence. A near-wall turbulence model which is based on the linear eddy-viscosity hypothesis is modified in the present study. Wall proximity effects are modeled by the elliptic relaxation approach. This closure has been successfully applied in the computation of complex, non-equilibrium flows in inertial frames of reference. The objective of the present study is to extend the predictive capability of the model to include flows dominated by rotational effects. The new model is calibrated in rotating homogeneous turbulent shear flow and subsequently tested in three different cases characterized by profound effects of system rotation or streamline curvature. It is able to capture many of the effects due to imposed body forces that the original closure is incapable of. Good agreement is obtained between the present predictions and available experimental and DNS data.