Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Turbulence simulation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Progress Towards a Cartesian Cut-Cell Method for Viscous Compressible Flow

The proposed paper reports advances in developing a method for high Reynolds number compressible viscous flow simulations using a Cartesian cut-cell method with embedded boundaries. This preliminary work focuses on accuracy of the discretization near solid wall boundaries. A model problem is used to investigate the accuracy of various difference stencils for second derivatives and to guide development of the discretization of the viscous terms in the Navier-Stokes equations. Near walls, quadratic reconstruction in the wall-normal direction is used to mitigate mesh irregularity and yields smooth skin friction distributions along the body. Multigrid performance is demonstrated using second-order coarse grid operators combined with second-order restriction and prolongation operators. Preliminary verification and validation for the method is demonstrated using flat-plate and airfoil examples at compressible Mach numbers. Simulations of flow on laminar and turbulent flat plates show skin friction and velocity profiles compared with those from boundary-layer theory. Airfoil simulations are performed at laminar and turbulent Reynolds numbers with results compared to both other simulations and experimental data

Berger, Marsha↗

Effect of Swirl on Turbulent Structures in Supersonic Jets

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to study the mechanism of generation and evolution of turbulence structures in a temporally evolving supersonic swirling round jet and also to examine the resulting acoustic radiations. Fourier spectral expansions are used in the streamwise and azimuthal directions and a 1-D b-spline Galerkin representation is used in the radial direction. Spectral-like accuracy is achieved using this numerical scheme. Direct numerical simulations, using the b-spline spectral method, are carried out starting from mean flow initial conditions which are perturbed by the most unstable linear stability eigenfunctions. It is observed that the initial.helical instability waves evolve into helical vortices which eventually breakdown into smaller scales of turbulence. 'Rib' structures similar to those seen in incompressible mixing layer flow of Rogers and Moser are observed. The jet core breakdown stage exhibits increased acoustic radiations.

Rao, Ram Mohan↗

Effect of Swirl on Turbulent Structures in Supersonic Jets

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is used to study the mechanism of generation and evolution of turbulence structures in a temporally evolving supersonic swirling round jet and also to examine the resulting acoustic radiations. Fourier spectral expansions are used in the streamwise and azimuthal directions and a 1-D b-spline Galerkin representation is used in the radial direction. Spectral-like accuracy is achieved using this numerical scheme. Direct numerical simulations, using the b-spline spectral method, are carried out starting from mean flow initial conditions which are perturbed by the most unstable linear stability eigenfunctions. It is observed that the initial helical instability waves evolve into helical vortices which eventually breakdown into smaller scales of turbulence. 'Rib' structures similar to those seen in incompressible mixing layer flow of Rogers and Moserl are observed. The jet core breakdown stage exhibits increased acoustic radiations.

Rao, Ram Mohan↗

Effect of Swirl on Turbulent Structures in Supersonic Jets

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is used to study the mechanism of generation and evolution of turbulence structures in a temporally evolving supersonic swirling round jet and also to examine the resulting acoustic radiations. Fourier spectral expansions are used in the streamwise and azimuthal directions and a 1-D b-spline Galerkin representation is used in the radial direction. Spectral-like accuracy is achieved using this numerical scheme. Direct numerical simulations, using the b-spline spectral method, are carried out starting from mean flow initial conditions which are perturbed by the most unstable linear stability eigenfunctions. It is observed that the initial helical instability waves evolve into helical vortices which eventually breakdown into smaller scales of turbulence. 'Rib' structures similar to those seen in incompressible mixing layer flow of Rogers and Moserl are observed. The jet core breakdown stage exhibits increased acoustic radiations.

Rao, Ram Mohan↗

Solutions of the Taylor-Green Vortex Problem Using High-Resolution Explicit Finite Difference Methods

A computational fluid dynamics code that solves the compressible Navier-Stokes equations was applied to the Taylor-Green vortex problem to examine the code s ability to accurately simulate the vortex decay and subsequent turbulence. The code, WRLES (Wave Resolving Large-Eddy Simulation), uses explicit central-differencing to compute the spatial derivatives and explicit Low Dispersion Runge-Kutta methods for the temporal discretization. The flow was first studied and characterized using Bogey & Bailley s 13-point dispersion relation preserving (DRP) scheme. The kinetic energy dissipation rate, computed both directly and from the enstrophy field, vorticity contours, and the energy spectra are examined. Results are in excellent agreement with a reference solution obtained using a spectral method and provide insight into computations of turbulent flows. In addition the following studies were performed: a comparison of 4th-, 8th-, 12th- and DRP spatial differencing schemes, the effect of the solution filtering on the results, the effect of large-eddy simulation sub-grid scale models, and the effect of high-order discretization of the viscous terms.

DeBonis, James R.↗

Aeroacoustics of turbulent shear flows

Recent analytical, numerical-simulation and experimental studies of sound generation by high-Reynolds-number turbulent shear flows are reviewed, with a focus on the application of linear rapid-distortion theory to the calculation of the unsteady flow field producing the sound. This approach is considered the most important alternative to acoustic-analogy methods. Topics surveyed include the linear theory of solid-surface interactions, the jet-noise problem, extensions to more complex turbulent flows, and supersonic flows. Graphs comparing theoretical and experimental results are shown.

Goldstein, M. E.↗

Large-Eddy Simulation of Variable Speed Power Turbine Cascade with Inflow Turbulence

Numerical results are presented from theNASAGlenn Research Center’sin-house turbomachinery code, Glenn-HT applied to the Variable Speed Power Turbine (VSPT) experiment at the NASA Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade Facility.The main goal of this paper is to implement a digital filtering method to generate turbulence upstream and a sub-grid model (Localized dynamic k-equation model (LDKM)) in the framework of LES in order to investigate the effect of inflow turbulence on the transition seen in the VSPT experimental data at the cruise condition (incidence angle of 40oand Tu = 0.5%, 5%,10%, and 15%). Although the boundary layer on thesuction side and pressure side of the blades is initially laminar due to favorable pressure gradient, the laminar flow can transition to turbulent flow past a separation zoneon the suction sideor by natural or by-pass transition. This process determinesthe total-pressure lossesin the wake. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a reliable prediction tool to accurately capture the transition mechanism in blade rows operated under the conditions of low Reynolds number andat a variety offree stream turbulence conditions. Our numerical studies reveal that the location of separationis rather insensitive to the level of Tu, however the effect ofincreasingTu seems to be in reducing the size and ultimately suppressing the separation bubble. In addition, we performedspectral analysis to identify the peak frequencies in the region where the separation bubble is formed, which provides valuable insights into the transition/separation mechanism.

CFD↗

Three velocity component, nonhomogeneous atmospheric boundary layer turbulence modeling

The vertical nonhomogeneous character of turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer results in a non-stationary turbulence process relative to an aircraft during takeoff and landing despite the fact that the turbulence statistics can be horizontally homogeneous. The simulation of the three components of the turbulent winds which include the nonstationary aspect of atmospheric turbulence is the subject of this paper. A procedure is developed and demonstrated to generate the three components of a turbulence ramdom process field, u sub i(x,z) where x and z denote horizontal and vertical coordinates and u sub i, i = 1,2,3 are the three orthogonal components of the turbulent random field. This field satisfies any desired one point auto spectra as well as two point statistics (interlevel correlations). By use of Taylors frozen eddy hypothesis we can transform the turbulent random field into the time domain and obtain the random turbulence along an aircraft trajectory.

Perlmutter, M.↗

Three-dimensional strong Langmuir turbulence and wave collapse

Results from the first fully three-dimensional simulations of driven damped strong Langmuir turbulence and wave collapse are presented. Key results are that turbulence is maintained at least in part by nucleation, the cores of most collapsing objects are pancake shaped in form, and the power spectrum falls off approximately as the product of a power law and an exponential at large wave number.

Robinson, P. A.↗

Low Mach number two-dimensional hydrodynamic turbulence - Energy budgets and density fluctuations in a polytropic fluid

Theory suggests that three distinct types of turbulence can occur in the low Mach number limit of polytropic flow: nearly incompressible flows dominated by vorticity, nearly pure acoustic turbulence dominated by compression, and flows characterized by near statistical equipartition of vorticity and compressions. Distinctions between these kinds of turbulence are investigated here by direct numerical simulation of two-dimensional compressible hydrodynamic turbulence. Dynamical scalings of density fluctuations, examination of the ratio of transverse to longitudinal velocity fluctuations, and spectral decomposition of the fluctuations are employed to distinguish the nature of these low Mach number solutions. A strong dependence on the initial data is observed, as well as a tendency for enhanced effects of compressibility at later times and at higher wave numbers, as suggested by theories of nearly incompressible flows.

Ghosh, S.↗

Energy Spectrum in the Dissipation Range of Fluid Turbulence

High resolution, direct numerical simulations of the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are carried out to study the energy spectrum in the dissipation range. An energy spectrum of the form A(k/k( sub d))(sup alpha) exp[- betak/k(sub d) is confirmed. The possible values of the parameters alpha and beta, as well as their dependence on Revnolds numbers and length scales, are investigated, showing good agreement with recent theoretical predictions. A "bottleneck'-type effect is reported at k/k(sub d) approximately 4, exhibiting a possible transition from near-dissipation to far- dissipation.

Martinez, D. O.↗

A Study of Airline Passenger Susceptibility to Atmospheric Turbulence Hazard

A simple, generic, simulation math model of a commercial airliner has been developed to study the susceptibility of unrestrained passengers to large, discrete gust encounters. The math model simulates the longitudinal motion to vertical gusts and includes (1) motion of an unrestrained passenger in the rear cabin, (2) fuselage flexibility, (3) the lag in the downwash from the wing to the tail, and (4) unsteady lift effects. Airplane and passenger response contours are calculated for a matrix of gust amplitudes and gust lengths of a simulated mountain rotor. A comparison of the model-predicted responses to data from three accidents indicates that the accelerations in actual accidents are sometimes much larger than the simulated gust encounters.

Stewart, Eric C.↗

Characterizing the Preturbulence Environment for Sensor Development, New Hazard Algorithms and NASA Experimental Flight Planning

During the grant period, several tasks were performed in support of the NASA Turbulence Prediction and Warning Systems (TPAWS) program. The primary focus of the research was on characterizing the preturbulence environment by developing predictive tools and simulating atmospheric conditions that preceded severe turbulence. The goal of the research being to provide both dynamical understanding of conditions that preceded turbulence as well as providing predictive tools in support of operational NASA B-757 turbulence research flights. The advancements in characterizing the preturbulence environment will be applied by NASA to sensor development for predicting turbulence onboard commercial aircraft. Numerical simulations with atmospheric models as well as multi-scale observational analyses provided insights into the environment organizing turbulence in a total of forty-eight specific case studies of severe accident producing turbulence on commercial aircraft. These accidents exclusively affected commercial aircraft. A paradigm was developed which diagnosed specific atmospheric circulation systems from the synoptic scale down to the meso-y scale that preceded turbulence in both clear air and in proximity to convection. The emphasis was primarily on convective turbulence as that is what the TPAWS program is most focused on in terms of developing improved sensors for turbulence warning and avoidance. However, the dynamical paradigm also has applicability to clear air and mountain turbulence. This dynamical sequence of events was then employed to formulate and test new hazard prediction indices that were first tested in research simulation studies and then ultimately were further tested in support of the NASA B-757 turbulence research flights. The new hazard characterization algorithms were utilized in a Real Time Turbulence Model (RTTM) that was operationally employed to support the NASA B-757 turbulence research flights. Improvements in the RTTM were implemented in an effort to increase the accuracy of the operational characterization of the preturbulence environment. Additionally, the initial research necessary to create a statistical evaluation scheme for the characterization indices utilized in the RTTM was undertaken. Results of all components of this research were then published in NASA contractor reports and scientific journal papers.

Kaplan, Michael L.↗

Scattering of sound by atmospheric turbulence predictions in a refractive shadow zone

According to ray theory, regions exist in an upward refracting atmosphere where no sound should be present. Experiments show, however, that appreciable sound levels penetrate these so-called shadow zones. Two mechanisms contribute to sound in the shadow zone: diffraction and turbulent scattering of sound. Diffractive effects can be pronounced at lower frequencies but are small at high frequencies. In the short wavelength limit, then, scattering due to turbulence should be the predominant mechanism involved in producing the sound levels measured in shadow zones. No existing analytical method includes turbulence effects in the prediction of sound pressure levels in upward refractive shadow zones. In order to obtain quantitative average sound pressure level predictions, a numerical simulation of the effect of atmospheric turbulence on sound propagation is performed. The simulation is based on scattering from randomly distributed scattering centers ('turbules'). Sound pressure levels are computed for many realizations of a turbulent atmosphere. Predictions from the numerical simulation are compared with existing theories and experimental data.

Mcbride, Walton E.↗

The production of premixed flame surface area in turbulent shear flow

In the present work, we use three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of premixed flames in turbulent shear flow to characterize the effect of a mean shear motion on flame surface production. The shear is uniform in the unburnt gas, and simulations are performed for different values of the mean shear rate, S. The data base is then used to estimate and compare the different terms appearing in the Sigma-equation as a function of S. The analysis gives in particular the relative weights f the turbulent flow and mean flow components, a(sub T) and A(sub T), of the flame surface production term. This comparison indicates whether the dominant effects of a mean flow velocity gradient on flame surface area are implicit and scale with the modified turbulent flow parameters, kappa and epsilon, or explicit and scale directly with the rate of deformation.

Trouve, A.↗

The propagation of spark-produced N waves through turbulence

A model experiment was designed and built to simulate the propagation of sonic booms through atmospheric turbulence. The setup of the model experiment is described briefly. Measurements of the N waves after they propagated across the turbulent velocity field reveal the same waveform distortion and change in rise time as for sonic booms. The data from the model experiment is used to test sonic boom models. Some models yield predictions for the waveform distortion, while others give estimates of the rise time of the sonic booms. A new theoretical model for the propagation of plane N waves through a turbulent medium is described.

Lipkens, Bart↗

Single-column Model Intercomparison for a Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layer

The parameterization of the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer is a difficult issue, which has a large impact on the medium-range weather forecasts and on climate integrations. A non-strongly stratified arctic case is simulated by nineteen single-column turbulence schemes. The statistics from the Large-eddy simulation (LES) intercomparison made for the same case by eight different models are used as a guiding reference. The single-column parameterizations include research schemes and operational schemes from major forecast and climate research centres. First order schemes, a large number of turbulence kinetic energy closures, and other proposals have submitted results. There is a large spread in the results; in general, the operational schemes mix more efficiently than the research ones, and the TKE and other higher order closures give results closer to the LES statistics. The sensitivities of the schemes to the parameters of their turbulence closures are partially explored.

Cuxart, J.↗

The Effect of Strain Rate on the Evolution of Plane Wakes Subjected to Irrotational Strains

Direct numerical simulations of time-evolving turbulent plane wakes developing in the presence of irrotational plane strain applied at three different strain rates have been generated. The strain geometry is such that the flow is compressed in the streamwise direction and expanded in the cross-stream direction with the spanwise direction being unstrained. This geometry is the temporally evolving analogue of a spatially evolving wake in an adverse pressure gradient. A pseudospectral numerical method with up to 16 million modes is used to solve the equations in a reference frame moving with the irrotational strain. The initial condition for each simulation is taken from a previous turbulent self-similar plane wake direct numerical simulation at a velocity deficit Reynolds number, Re, of about 2,000. Although the evolutions of many statistics are nearly collapsed when plotted against total strain, there are some differences owing to the different strain rate histories. The impact of strain-rate on the wake spreading rate, the peak velocity deficit, the Reynolds stress profiles, and the flow structure is examined.

Rogers, Michael M.↗