Simulation of a Large-Eddy-Break-up Device (LEBU) in a Moderate Reynolds Number Turbulent Boundary Layer

• A well-resolved large eddy simulation (LES) of a large-eddy break-up (LEBU) device in a spatially evolving turbulent boundary layer is performed with, Reynolds number, based on free-stream velocity and momentum-loss thickness, of Reθ ≈ 4300. The implementation of the LEBU is via an immersed boundary method. The LEBU is positioned at a wall-normal distance of 0.8 δ (δ denoting the local boundary layer thickness at the location of the LEBU) from the wall. The LEBU acts to delay the growth of the turbulent boundary layer and produces global skin friction reduction beyond 180δ downstream of the LEBU, with a peak local skin friction reduction of approximately 12 %. However, no net drag reduction is found when accounting for the device drag of the LEBU in accordance with the towing tank experiments by Sahlin et al. (Phys. Fluids 31, 2814, 1988). Further investigation is performed on the interactions of high and low momentum bulges with the LEBU and the corresponding output is analysed, showing a ‘break-up’ of these large momentum bulges downstream of the LEBU. In addition, results from the spanwise energy spectra show consistent reduction in energy at spanwise length scales for (Formula presented.) independent of streamwise and wall-normal location when compared to the corresponding turbulent boundary layer without LEBU.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Strömningsmekanik och akustik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Boundary layer

Drag reduction

Large eddy simulation

Large-eddy-break-up device

Wall turbulence

Boundary layer flow

Boundary layers

Computational fluid dynamics

Drag

Friction

Momentum

Reynolds number

Skin friction

Turbulence

Turbulent flow

Boundary layer thickness

Free-stream velocity

Immersed boundary methods

Large eddy

Moderate Reynolds numbers

Skin friction reduction

Turbulent boundary layers

Atmospheric thermodynamics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)