Hydrophysics

Hydrophysics

Study of the Energy Redistribution Process in a Zero-Pressure-Gradient Flat-Plate Turbulent Boundary Layer Using Large-Eddy Simulation

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Amin Moosaie
Department of Mechanical Engineering / Yasouj University Department of Mechanical Engineering / Isfahan University of Technology
Abstract
This study investigates the process of energy redistribution within a turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate without a pressure gradient at various Reynolds numbers, utilizing large eddy simulation (LES) results. The three-dimensional, time-dependent filtered Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible Newtonian fluid flow were numerically solved. Subgrid-scale stresses were modeled using the wall-adapting local eddy-viscosity (WALE) model. An oscillatory inflow boundary condition was applied to generate physical turbulence at the inlet, which shortened the required computational domain length and reduced computational cost. Turbulent statistical quantities obtained from the simulations were validated against existing experimental data and direct numerical simulation (DNS) results, confirming high accuracy. These data were subsequently used to analyze the turbulent kinetic energy redistribution process within the boundary layer, providing insight into the behavior of Reynolds normal stresses. Additionally, comparison with DNS results assessed LES accuracy in capturing the energy redistribution process. It was observed that LES underestimates the absolute maximum and minimum values of the principal components of the pressure–strain correlation tensor relative to DNS.
Keywords
Large-eddy simulation
Turbulent boundary layer
WALE subgrid-scale model
Oscillatory inflow condition
Energy redistribution process

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 28 April 2025
  • Revise Date 02 June 2025
  • Accept Date 11 June 2025