A Hybrid RANS/LES Turbulence Model for use

in the Simulation of Turbulent Separated Flows

Kambiz Salari, Paul Castellucci
Lawrence Livermore National Lab, USA
salari1@llnl.gov

Abstract Currently, there exists a lack of confidence in the computational simulation of turbulent separated flows at large Reynolds numbers. The most accurate
methods available are too computationally costly for use in engineering applications. Using concepts borrowed from large-eddy simulation (LES), a two-equation
Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence model is modified to simulate the turbulent wakes behind bluff bodies. This modification involves the computation of one additional scalar field, adding very little to the overall computational cost. When properly inserted in the baseline RANS model, this modification
mimics LES in the separated wake, yet reverts to the unmodified form near no-slip
surfaces. In this manner, superior predictive capability may be achieved without
the additional cost of fine spatial resolution associated with LES near solid
boundaries. Simulations using several modified and baseline RANS models are
benchmarked against both LES and experimental data for a circular cylinder wake
at Reynolds number 3900. These results reveal substantial improvements using the
modified system and appear to drive the baseline wake solution toward that of
LES, as intended. Further results include the simulation of the turbulent wake created by the Ground Transportation System (GTS), a simplified tractor-trailer geometry studied extensively by the Department of Energy for use in turbulence
model validation.