Buoyancy scale effects in large-eddy simulations of stratified turbulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 754 ◽  
pp. 75-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Khani ◽  
Michael L. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Scale Effects ◽  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Local Maximum ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Energy Spectra ◽  
Buoyancy Frequency ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Smagorinsky Model ◽  
Large Eddy

AbstractIn this paper large-eddy simulations (LES) of forced stratified turbulence using two common subgrid scale (SGS) models, the Kraichnan and Smagorinsky models, are studied. As found in previous studies using regular and hyper-viscosity, vorticity contours show elongated horizontal motions, which are layered in the vertical direction, along with intermittent Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instabilities. Increased stratification causes the layer thickness to collapse towards the dissipation scale, ultimately suppressing these instabilities. The vertical energy spectra are relatively flat out to a local maximum, which varies with the buoyancy frequency $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}N$. The horizontal energy spectra depend on the grid spacing $\varDelta $; if the resolution is fine enough, the horizontal spectrum shows an approximately $-5/3$ slope along with a bump at the buoyancy wavenumber $k_b = N/u_{rms}$, where $u_{rms}$ is the root-mean-square (r.m.s.) velocity. Our results show that there is a critical value of the grid spacing $\varDelta $, below which dynamics of stratified turbulence are well-captured in LES. This critical $\varDelta $ depends on the buoyancy scale $L_b$ and varies with different SGS models: the Kraichnan model requires $\varDelta < 0.47 L_b$, while the Smagorinsky model requires $\varDelta < 0.17 L_b$. In other words, the Smagorinsky model is significantly more costly than the Kraichnan approach, as it requires three times the resolution to adequately capture stratified turbulence.

Large eddy simulations of stratified turbulence: the dynamic Smagorinsky model

2015 ◽  
Vol 773 ◽  
pp. 327-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Khani ◽  
Michael L. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Smagorinsky Model ◽  
Computational Costs ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Accuracy Of Results ◽  
Vertical Scales

The dynamic Smagorinsky model for large eddy simulation (LES) of stratified turbulence is studied in this paper. A maximum grid spacing criterion of ${\it\Delta}/L_{b}<0.24$ is found in order to capture several of the key characteristics of stratified turbulence, where ${\it\Delta}$ is the filter scale and $L_{b}$ is the buoyancy scale. These results show that the dynamic Smagorinsky model needs a grid spacing approximately twice as large as the regular Smagorinsky model to reproduce similar results. This improvement on the regular Smagorinsky eddy viscosity approach increases the accuracy of results at small resolved scales while decreasing the computational costs because it allows larger ${\it\Delta}$. In addition, the eddy dissipation spectra in LES of stratified turbulence present anisotropic features, taking energy out of large horizontal but small vertical scales. This trend is not seen in the non-stratified cases, where the subgrid-scale energy transfer is isotropic. Statistics of the dynamic Smagorinsky coefficient $c_{s}$ are investigated; its distribution is peaked around zero, and its standard deviations decrease slightly with increasing stratification. In line with previous findings for unstratified turbulence, regions of increased shear favour smaller $c_{s}$ values; in stratified turbulence, the spatial distribution of the shear, and hence $c_{s}$, is dominated by a layerwise pancake structure. These results show that the dynamic Smagorinsky model presents a promising approach for LES when isotropic buoyancy-scale resolving grids are employed.

Mixing efficiency in large-eddy simulations of stratified turbulence

2018 ◽  
Vol 849 ◽  
pp. 373-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Khani
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Computational Costs ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Ozmidov Scale ◽  
Computational Resources ◽  
Scaling Coefficient

The irreversible mixing efficiency is studied using large-eddy simulations (LES) of stratified turbulence, where three different subgrid-scale (SGS) parameterizations are employed. For comparison, direct numerical simulations (DNS) and hyperviscosity simulations are also performed. In the regime of stratified turbulence where $Fr_{v}\sim 1$, the irreversible mixing efficiency $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{i}$ in LES scales like $1/(1+2Pr_{t})$, where $Fr_{v}$ and $Pr_{t}$ are the vertical Froude number and turbulent Prandtl number, respectively. Assuming a unit scaling coefficient and $Pr_{t}=1$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}_{i}$ goes to a constant value $1/3$, in agreement with DNS results. In addition, our results show that the irreversible mixing efficiency in LES, while consistent with this prediction, depends on SGS parameterizations and the grid spacing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}$. Overall, the LES approach can reproduce mixing efficiency results similar to those from the DNS approach if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E5}\lesssim L_{o}$, where $L_{o}$ is the Ozmidov scale. In this situation, the computational costs of numerical simulations are significantly reduced because LES runs require much smaller computational resources in comparison with expensive DNS runs.

scholarly journals An Anisotropic Subgrid-Scale Parameterization for Large-Eddy Simulations of Stratified Turbulence

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 (10) ◽  
pp. 4299-4311
Author(s):  
Sina Khani ◽  
Michael L. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Subgrid Scale ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Vertical Grid ◽  
Ocean Models ◽  
Les Model

AbstractSubgrid-scale (SGS) parameterizations in atmosphere and ocean models are often defined independently in the horizontal and vertical directions because the grid spacing is not the same in these directions (anisotropic grids). In this paper, we introduce a new anisotropic SGS model in large-eddy simulations (LES) of stratified turbulence based on horizontal filtering of the equations of motion. Unlike the common horizontal SGS parameterizations in atmosphere and ocean models, the vertical derivatives of the horizontal SGS fluxes are included in our anisotropic SGS scheme, and therefore the horizontal and vertical SGS dissipation mechanisms are not disconnected in the newly developed model. Our model is tested with two vertical grid spacings and various horizontal resolutions, where the horizontal grid spacing is comparatively larger than that in the vertical. Our anisotropic LES model can successfully reproduce the results of direct numerical simulations, while the computational cost is significantly reduced in the LES. We suggest the new anisotropic SGS model as an alternative to current SGS parameterizations in atmosphere and ocean models, in which the schemes for horizontal and vertical scales are often decoupled. The new SGS scheme may improve the dissipative performance of atmosphere and ocean models without adding any backscatter or other energizing terms at small horizontal scales.

scholarly journals Vertically localised equilibrium solutions in large-eddy simulations of homogeneous shear flow

2017 ◽  
Vol 827 ◽  
pp. 225-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Sekimoto ◽  
Javier Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Shear Flow ◽  
Vertical Direction ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Box Dimension ◽  
Equilibrium Solutions ◽  
Vortical Structures ◽  
Homogeneous Shear ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Homogeneous Shear Flow

Unstable equilibrium solutions in a homogeneous shear flow with sinuous (streamwise-shift-reflection and spanwise-shift-rotation) symmetry are numerically found in large-eddy simulations (LES) with no kinetic viscosity. The small-scale properties are determined by the mixing length scale $l_{S}$ used to define eddy viscosity, and the large-scale motion is induced by the mean shear at the integral scale, which is limited by the spanwise box dimension $L_{z}$. The fraction $R_{S}=L_{z}/l_{S}$, which plays the role of a Reynolds number, is used as a numerical continuation parameter. It is shown that equilibrium solutions appear by a saddle-node bifurcation as $R_{S}$ increases, and that the flow structures resemble those in plane Couette flow with the same sinuous symmetry. The vortical structures of both lower- and upper-branch solutions become spontaneously localised in the vertical direction. The lower-branch solution is an edge state at low $R_{S}$, and takes the form of a thin critical layer as $R_{S}$ increases, as in the asymptotic theory of generic shear flow at high Reynolds numbers. On the other hand, the upper-branch solutions are characterised by a tall velocity streak with multiscale multiple vortical structures. At the higher end of $R_{S}$, an incipient multiscale structure is found. The LES turbulence occasionally visits vertically localised states whose vortical structure resembles the present vertically localised LES equilibria.

Buoyancy- to inertial-range transition in forced stratified turbulence

2001 ◽  
Vol 427 ◽  
pp. 205-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
GEORGE F. CARNEVALE ◽  
M. BRISCOLINI ◽  
P. ORLANDI
Keyword(s):  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Strain ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
Scale Turbulence ◽  
Range Density

The buoyancy range, which represents a transition from large-scale wave-dominated motions to small-scale turbulence in the oceans and the atmosphere, is investigated through large-eddy simulations. The model presented here uses a continual forcing based on large-scale standing internal waves and has a spectral truncation in the isotropic inertial range. Evidence is presented for a break in the energy spectra from the anisotropic k−3 buoyancy range to the small-scale k−5/3 isotropic inertial range. Density structures that form during wave breaking and periods of high strain rate are analysed. Elongated vertical structures produced during periods of strong straining motion are found to collapse in the subsequent vertically compressional phase of the strain resulting in a zone or patch of mixed fluid.

High-Pass Filtered Eddy-Viscosity Models for Large-Eddy Simulations of Compressible Wall-Bounded Flows

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Stolz
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Large Eddy Simulations ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Subgrid Scale ◽  
Smagorinsky Model ◽  
Viscosity Models ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
High Pass

Eddy-viscosity models such as the Smagorinsky model [1] are the most often employed subgrid-scale (SGS) models for large-eddy simulations (LES). However, for a correct prediction of the viscous sublayer of wall-bounded turbulent flows van-Driest wall damping functions or a dynamic determination of the constant [2] have to be employed. Alternatively, high-pass filtered (HPF) quantities can be used instead of the full velocity field for the computation of the subgrid-scale model terms. This approach has been independently proposed by Vreman [3] and Stolz et al. [4]. In this contribution we consider LES of a spatially developing supersonic turbulent boundary layer at a Mach number of 2.5 and momentum-thickness Reynolds numbers at inflow of approximately 4500, using the HPF Smagorinsky model. The model is supplemented by a HPF eddy-diffusivity ansatz for the SGS heat flux in the energy equation. Turbulent inflow conditions are generated by a rescaling and recycling technique proposed by [5] where the mean and fluctuating part of the turbulent boundary layer at some distance downstream of inflow is rescaled and reintroduced at inflow.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document