Prediction of turbulence-induced forces on structures from full numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

The wall pressure fluctuations generated by a turbulent boundary layer are the driving forces in a variety of fluid-structure interaction problems of fundamental and practical interest. Historically, these surface pressure forces have been determined by conducting appropriate laboratory experiments and scaling the results as needed. The present paper examines the potential utility of full numerical solutions of the Navier—Stokes equations for turbulent flows to accomplish this same end. An overview of the means employed for obtaining such solutions without resort to closure assumptions is given. Comparisons between the predicted and measured characteristics of the wall pressure and velocity fields are described which are quite favorable and commend the use of numerical simulations as an aid in understanding flow-induced vibration phenomena. Fundamental limitations of the numerical simulations and additional areas of research needed to make them more generally applicable in predicting turbulence-induced forcing functions are also discussed in detail.