Turbulence topologies predicted using large eddy simulations

Abstract

In this paper, turbulence topologies related to the invariants of the resolved velocity gradient and strain rate tensors are studied based on large eddy simulation. The numerical results presented in the paper were obtained using two dynamic models, namely, the conventional dynamic model of Lilly and a recently developed dynamic nonlinear subgrid scale (SGS) model. In contrast to most of the previous research investigations which have mainly focused on isotropic turbulence, the present study examines the influence of near-wall anisotropy on the flow topologies. The SGS effect on the so-called SGS dissipation of the discriminant is examined and it is shown that the SGS stress contributes to the deviation of the flow topology of real turbulence from that of the ideal restricted Euler flow. The turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) transfer between the resolved and subgrid scales of motion is studied, and the forward and backward scatters of TKE are quantified in the invariant phase plane. Some interesting phenomenological results have also been obtained, including a wing-shaped contour pattern for the density of the resolved enstrophy generation and the near-wall dissipation shift of the peak location (mode) in the joint probability density function of the invariants of the resolved strain rate tensor. The newly observed turbulence phenomenologies are believed to be important and an effort has been made to explain them on an analytical basis.