Assessment of direct numerical simulation data of turbulent boundary layers

Schlatter P, Orlu R (2010)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Journal of Fluid Mechanics Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Book Volume: 659

Pages Range: 116-126

DOI: 10.1017/S0022112010003113

Abstract

Statistics obtained from seven different direct numerical simulations (DNSs) pertaining to a canonical turbulent boundary layer (TBL) under zero pressure gradient are compiled and compared. The considered data sets include a recent DNS of a TBL with the extended range of Reynolds numbers Reθ = 500-4300. Although all the simulations relate to the same physical flow case, the approaches differ in the applied numerical method, grid resolution and distribution, inflow generation method, boundary conditions and box dimensions. The resulting comparison shows surprisingly large differences not only in both basic integral quantities such as the friction coefficient cf or the shape factor H12, but also in their predictions of mean and fluctuation profiles far into the sublayer. It is thus shown that the numerical simulation of TBLs is, mainly due to the spatial development of the flow, very sensitive to, e.g. proper inflow condition, sufficient settling length and appropriate box dimensions. Thus, a DNS has to be considered as a numerical experiment and should be the subject of the same scrutiny as experimental data. However, if a DNS is set up with the necessary care, it can provide a faithful tool to predict even such notoriously difficult flow cases with great accuracy. © 2010 Cambridge University Press.

Authors with CRIS profile

Philipp Schlatter

Involved external institutions

Royal Institute of Technology / Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH)

Sweden (SE)

How to cite

APA:

Schlatter, P., & Orlu, R. (2010). Assessment of direct numerical simulation data of turbulent boundary layers. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 659, 116-126. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112010003113

MLA:

Schlatter, Philipp, and Ramis Orlu. "Assessment of direct numerical simulation data of turbulent boundary layers." Journal of Fluid Mechanics 659 (2010): 116-126.

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