Turbulent flow simulation - A large eddy simulator's viewpoint

Abstract

The state of the art of the data base on turbulent structures and numerical turbulence modelling is assessed. The failure of statistical methods to produce accurate results revealed that turbulence is more than simply random noise. Both randomness and coherence may be characteristics of turbulence, which may also feature noise that is a remnant of previous coherence. Five methods are presently used for numerically predicting turbulent flow behavior: correlations, integral methods, the k-epsilon model, and phenomenological and exact solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations. The higher level models include large eddy simulation and full simulation with numerical solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations; the two methods are applicable to experimental, rather than design work.