Multi-GPU lattice Boltzmann simulations of turbulent square duct flow at high Reynolds numbers

Abstract

Based on the multi-GPU lattice Boltzmann method with the half-way bounce-back scheme, fully developed turbulent duct flows at the friction Reynolds numbers Reτ of 300, 600, 1,200, 1,500, 1,800, and 2,000 were simulated. The parallel performance of multi-GPU lattice Boltzmann simulations is up to 300.162 GLUPS using 1.57 billion grids with 384 GPUs. The simulated friction factor f was consistent with other DNS and experiment results, as well as the Karman–Prandtl theoretical friction law, which verified a sufficient grid resolution Δ+≤3.3, and the LBGK model is stable for Δ+≤5 at high Reynolds numbers. The secondary flows were successfully captured, and turbulence statistics of root-mean-square (r.m.s.) velocity and Reynolds stress were analyzed. The two-point velocity correlation functions and turbulent energy spectra at different positions showed that secondary flows in the near-corner region changed spatial turbulence distribution. Multi-GPU lattice Boltzmann simulations with large grid scales can deal with turbulent square duct flows at high Reynolds numbers and show promise for high-fidelity and scale-resolving fluid dynamics.