A Rapid and Accurate Switch from RANS to LES in Boundary Layers Using an Overlap Region

• Published in: Flow, turbulence and combustion Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 179 - 206
• Main Authors: Shur, Michael, Spalart, Philippe R., Strelets, Michael, Travin, Andrey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Algorithms; Automotive Engineering; Boundaries; Boundary layer; Engineering; Engineering Fluid Dynamics; Engineering Thermodynamics; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluid- and Aerodynamics; Heat and Mass Transfer; Navier-Stokes equations; Turbulence; Turbulent flow; IDDES; Recycling; RANS-LES coupling; Inflow turbulent content
• ISSN: 1386-6184; 1573-1987
• DOI: 10.1007/s10494-010-9309-9

An efficient recycling algorithm is developed for injecting resolved turbulent content in a boundary layer as it switches from a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) type treatment to a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) type treatment inside a generalized Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES). The motivation is to use RANS in the thinnest boundary-layer area, following the original argument in favour of DES, and LES in the thicker boundary-layer areas especially approaching separation, to improve accuracy and possibly obtain unsteady outputs. The algorithm relies on an overlap of the RANS and LES domains and, therefore, the availability of both RANS and LES solutions in the recycling region, which is about 5 boundary-layer thicknesses long. This permits a smooth transfer of the turbulent stresses from this section to the LES inflow. The continuity of the skin-friction distribution is very good, reflecting the excellent viability of the resolved turbulence. The approach is validated in a flat-plate boundary layer and an airfoil near stall, with mild pressure gradient near the interface, and then applied to the compressible flow over an idealized airliner windshield wiper. The pressure fluctuations at reattachment are 12dB more intense than under a simple boundary layer at the same speed, and the output contains all the quantities needed to calculate the transmission of sound through the glass.