The law of the wall in turbulent flow

1995 ◽  
Vol 451 (1941) ◽  
pp. 165-188 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Turbulent Shear ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Logarithmic Law ◽  
The Law ◽  
Simple Flows

The ‘law of the wall’ for the inner part of a turbulent shear flow over a solid surface is one of the cornerstones of fluid dynamics, and one of the very few pieces of turbulence theory whose results include a simple analytic function for the mean velocity distribution, the logarithmic law. Various aspects of the law have recently been questioned, and this paper is a summary of the present position. Although the law of the wall for velocity has apparently been confirmed by experiment well outside its original range, the law of the wall for temperature seems to apply only to very simple flows. Since the two laws are derived by closely analogous arguments this throws suspicion on the law of the wall for velocity. Analysis of simulation data, for all the Reynolds stresses including the shear stress, shows that law-of-the-wall scaling fails spectacularly in the viscous wall region, even when the logarithmic law is relatively well behaved. Virtually all turbulence models are calibrated to reproduce the law of the wall in simple flows, and we discuss whether, in practice or in principle, their range of validity is larger than that of the law of the wall itself: the present answer is that it is not; so that when the law of the wall (or the mixing-length formula) fails, current Reynolds-averaged turbulence models are likely to fail too.

On the skin friction due to turbulence in ducts of various shapes

2018 ◽  
Vol 838 ◽  
pp. 369-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Spalart ◽  
A. Garbaruk ◽  
A. Stabnikov
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Skin Friction ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Mathematical Reasoning ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Turbulence Theory ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Secondary Motion

We consider fully developed turbulence in straight ducts of non-circular cross-sectional shape, for instance a square. A global friction velocity $\overline{u}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ is defined from the streamwise pressure gradient $|\text{d}p/\text{d}x|$ and a single characteristic length $h$, half the hydraulic diameter (shapes with disparate length scales, due to high aspect ratio, are excluded). We reason that as the Reynolds number $Re$ reaches high values, outside the viscous region the streamwise velocity differences and the secondary motion scale with $\overline{u}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ and the Reynolds stresses with $\overline{u}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}^{2}$. This extends the classical defect-law argument, associated with Townsend and many others, and is successful in channel and pipe flows. We then posit matched asymptotic expansions with overlap of the law of the wall and the behaviour we assumed in the core region. The wall may be smooth, or have a Nikuradse roughness $k_{S}$ (such that it is fully rough, with $k_{S}^{+}\gg 1$). The consequences include the familiar logarithmic behaviour of the velocity profile, but also the surprising prediction that the skin friction tends to uniformity all around the duct, except near possible corners, asymptotically as $Re\rightarrow \infty$ or $k_{S}/h\rightarrow 0$. This is confirmed by numerical solutions for a square and two ellipses, using a conventional turbulence model, albeit the trend with Reynolds number is slow. The magnitude of the secondary motion also scales as expected, and the skin-friction coefficient follows the logarithm of the appropriate Reynolds number. This is a validation of the mathematical reasoning, but is by no means independent physical evidence, because the turbulence models embody the same assumptions as the theory. The uniformity of the skin friction appears to be a new and falsifiable deduction from turbulence theory, and a candidate for high-Reynolds-number experiments.

Asymptotic theory of turbulent shear flows

1970 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirit S. Yajnik
Keyword(s):  
Shear Flows ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Turbulent Shear ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Underdetermined System ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Turbulent Shear Flows ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Law

A theory is proposed in this paper to describe the behaviour of a class of turbulent shear flows as the Reynolds number approaches infinity. A detailed analysis is given for simple representative members of this class, such as fully developed channel and pipe flows and two-dimensional turbulent boundary layers. The theory considers an underdetermined system of equations and depends critically on the idea that these flows consist of two rather different types of regions. The method of matched asymptotic expansions is employed together with asymptotic hypotheses describing the order of various terms in the equations of mean motion and turbulent kinetic energy. As these hypotheses are not closure hypotheses, they do not impose any functional relationship between quantities determined by the mean velocity field and those determined by the Reynolds stress field. The theory leads to asymptotic laws corresponding to the law of the wall, the logarithmic law, the velocity defect law, and the law of the wake.

scholarly journals Evolution and structure of sink-flow turbulent boundary layers

2001 ◽  
Vol 428 ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. JONES ◽  
IVAN MARUSIC ◽  
A. E. PERRY
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layers ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Logarithmic Law

An experimental and theoretical investigation of turbulent boundary layers developing in a sink-flow pressure gradient was undertaken. Three flow cases were studied, corresponding to different acceleration strengths. Mean-flow measurements were taken for all three cases, while Reynolds stresses and spectra measurements were made for two of the flow cases. In this study attention was focused on the evolution of the layers to an equilibrium turbulent state. All the layers were found to attain a state very close to precise equilibrium. This gave equilibrium sink flow data at higher Reynolds numbers than in previous experiments. The mean velocity profiles were found to collapse onto the conventional logarithmic law of the wall. However, for profiles measured with the Pitot tube, a slight ‘kick-up’ from the logarithmic law was observed near the buffer region, whereas the mean velocity profiles measured with a normal hot wire did not exhibit this deviation from the logarithmic law. As the layers approached equilibrium, the mean velocity profiles were found to approach the pure wall profile and for the highest level of acceleration Π was very close to zero, where Π is the Coles wake factor. This supports the proposition of Coles (1957), that the equilibrium sink flow corresponds to pure wall flow. Particular interest was also given to the evolutionary stages of the boundary layers, in order to test and further develop the closure hypothesis of Perry, Marusic & Li (1994). Improved quantitative agreement with the experimental results was found after slight modification of their original closure equation.

A unified approach for symmetries in plane parallel turbulent shear flows

2001 ◽  
Vol 427 ◽  
pp. 299-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN OBERLACK
Keyword(s):  
Shear Flows ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Turbulent Shear ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Turbulent Shear Flows ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Logarithmic Law

A new theoretical approach for turbulent flows based on Lie-group analysis is presented. It unifies a large set of ‘solutions’ for the mean velocity of stationary parallel turbulent shear flows. These results are not solutions in the classical sense but instead are defined by the maximum number of possible symmetries, only restricted by the flow geometry and other external constraints. The approach is derived from the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, the fluctuation equations, and the velocity product equations, which are the dyad product of the velocity fluctuations with the equations for the velocity fluctuations. The results include the logarithmic law of the wall, an algebraic law, the viscous sublayer, the linear region in the centre of a Couette flow and in the centre of a rotating channel flow, and a new exponential mean velocity profile not previously reported that is found in the mid-wake region of high Reynolds number flat-plate boundary layers. The algebraic scaling law is confirmed in both the centre and the near-wall regions in both experimental and DNS data of turbulent channel flows. In the case of the logarithmic law of the wall, the scaling with the distance from the wall arises as a result of the analysis and has not been assumed in the derivation. All solutions are consistent with the similarity of the velocity product equations to arbitrary order. A method to derive the mean velocity profiles directly from the two-point correlation equations is shown.

Evaluation of RANS and LES turbulence models for simulating a steady 2-D plane wall jet

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-234
Author(s):  
Zhitao Yan ◽  
Yongli Zhong ◽  
William E. Lin ◽  
Eric Savory ◽  
Yi You
Keyword(s):  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Plane Wall ◽  
Wall Jet ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rectangular Slot ◽  
Law Of The Wall

PurposeThis paper examines various turbulence models for numerical simulation of a steady, two-dimensional (2-D) plane wall jet without co-flow using the commercial CFD software (ANSYS FLUENT 14.5). The purpose of this paper is to decide the most suitable and most economical method for steady, 2-D plane wall jet simulation.Design/methodology/approachSeven Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models were evaluated with respect to typical jet scaling parameters such as the jet half-height and the decay of maximum jet velocity, as well as coefficients from the law of the wall and for skin friction. Then, a plane wall jet generating from a rectangular slot of 1:6 aspect ratio located adjacent to the wall was investigated in a three-dimensional (3-D) model using large eddy simulation (LES) and the Stress-omega Reynolds stress model (SWRSM), with the results compared to experimental measurements.FindingsThe comparisons of these simulated flow characteristics indicated that the SWRSM was the best of the seven RANS models for simulating the turbulent wall jet. When scaled with outer variables, LES and SWRSM gave generally indistinguishable mean velocity profiles. However, SWRSM performed better for near-wall mean velocity profiles when scaled with inner variables. In general, the results show that LES performed reasonably well when predicting the Reynolds stresses.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this article is in determining the capabilities of different RANS turbulence closures and LES for the prediction of the 2-D steady wall jet flow to identify the best modelling approach.

On the criteria for reverse transition in a two-dimensional boundary layer flow

1969 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Badri Narayanan ◽  
V. Ramjee
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Velocity ◽  
Outer Region ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Velocity Profiles ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Reverse Transition ◽  
Turbulence Decay

Experiments on reverse transition were conducted in two-dimensional accelerated incompressible turbulent boundary layers. Mean velocity profiles, longitudinal velocity fluctuations $\tilde{u}^{\prime}(=(\overline{u^{\prime 2}})^{\frac{1}{2}})$ and the wall-shearing stress (TW) were measured. The mean velocity profiles show that the wall region adjusts itself to laminar conditions earlier than the outer region. During the reverse transition process, increases in the shape parameter (H) are accompanied by a decrease in the skin friction coefficient (Cf). Profiles of turbulent intensity (u’2) exhibit near similarity in the turbulence decay region. The breakdown of the law of the wall is characterized by the parameter \[ \Delta_p (=\nu[dP/dx]/\rho U^{*3}) = - 0.02, \] where U* is the friction velocity. Downstream of this region the decay of $\tilde{u}^{\prime}$ fluctuations occurred when the momentum thickness Reynolds number (R) decreased roughly below 400.

On Application of Nonlinear k-ε Models for Internal Combustion Engine Flows

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 668-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Bianchi ◽  
G. Cantore ◽  
P. Parmeggiani ◽  
V. Michelassi
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engine ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Moment Closure ◽  
Reynolds Stresses ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Viscosity Models

The linear k-ε model, in its different formulations, still remains the most widely used turbulence model for the solutions of internal combustion engine (ICE) flows thanks to the use of only two scale-determining transport variables and the simple constitutive relation. This paper discusses the application of nonlinear k-ε turbulence models for internal combustion engine flows. Motivations to nonlinear eddy viscosity models use arise from the consideration that such models combine the simplicity of linear eddy-viscosity models with the predictive properties of second moment closure. In this research the nonlinear k-ε models developed by Speziale in quadratic expansion, and Craft et al. in cubic expansion, have been applied to a practical tumble flow. Comparisons between calculated and measured mean velocity components and turbulence intensity were performed for simple flow structure case. The effects of quadratic and cubic formulations on numerical predictions were investigated too, with particular emphasis on anisotropy and influence of streamline curvature on Reynolds stresses.

Experimental Investigation of a Turbulent Boundary Layer Subjected to an Adverse Pressure Gradient

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takanori Nakamura ◽  
Takatsugu Kameda ◽  
Shinsuke Mochizuki
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Friction Velocity ◽  
Adverse Pressure Gradient ◽  
Turbulent Intensity ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Velocity Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Law

Experiments were performed to investigate the effect of an adverse pressure gradient on the mean velocity and turbulent intensity profiles for an equilibrium boundary layer. The equilibrium boundary layer, which makes self-similar profiles, was constructed using a power law distribution of free stream velocity. The exponent of the law was adjusted to −0.188. The wall shear stress was measured with a drag balance by a floating element. The investigation of the law of the wall and the similarity of the streamwise turbulent intensity profile was made using both a friction velocity and new proposed velocity scale. The velocity scale is derived from the boundary layer equation. The mean velocity gradient profile normalized with the height and the new velocity scale exists the region where the value is almost constant. The turbulent intensity profiles normalized with the friction velocity strongly depend on the nondimensional pressure gradient near the wall. However, by mean of the local velocity scale, the profiles might be achieved to be similar with that of a zero pressure gradient.

scholarly journals Wind Turbulence Statistics of the Atmospheric Inertial Sublayer under Near-Neutral Conditions

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1087
Author(s):  
Eslam Reda Lotfy ◽  
Zambri Harun
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Turbulent Velocity ◽  
Stability Conditions ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
Turbulent Statistics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Law ◽  
Velocity Variances

The inertial sublayer comprises a considerable and critical portion of the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. The mean windward velocity profile is described comprehensively by the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory, which is equivalent to the logarithmic law of the wall in the wind tunnel boundary layer. Similar logarithmic relations have been recently proposed to correlate turbulent velocity variances with height based on Townsend’s attached-eddy theory. The theory is particularly valid for high Reynolds-number flows, for example, atmospheric flow. However, the correlations have not been thoroughly examined, and a well-established model cannot be reached for all turbulent variances similar to the law of the wall of the mean-velocity. Moreover, the effect of atmospheric thermal condition on Townsend’s model has not been determined. In this research, we examined a dataset of free wind flow under a near-neutral range of atmospheric stability conditions. The results of the mean velocity reproduce the law of the wall with a slope of 2.45 and intercept of −13.5. The turbulent velocity variances were fitted by logarithmic profiles consistent with those in the literature. The windward and crosswind velocity variances obtained the average slopes of −1.3 and −1.7, respectively. The slopes and intercepts generally increased away from the neutral state. Meanwhile, the vertical velocity and temperature variances reached the ground-level values of 1.6 and 7.8, respectively, under the neutral condition. The authors expect this article to be a groundwork for a general model on the vertical profiles of turbulent statistics under all atmospheric stability conditions.

Spectral analogues of the law of the wall, the defect law and the log law

2014 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
pp. 498-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Zúñiga Zamalloa ◽  
Henry Chi-Hin Ng ◽  
Pinaki Chakraborty ◽  
Gustavo Gioia
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Energy ◽  
Wall Turbulence ◽  
Spectral Domain ◽  
Energy Spectra ◽  
Scaling Relations ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Law Of The Wall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Log Law ◽  
The Law

AbstractUnlike the classical scaling relations for the mean-velocity profiles of wall-bounded uniform turbulent flows (the law of the wall, the defect law and the log law), which are predicated solely on dimensional analysis and similarity assumptions, scaling relations for the turbulent-energy spectra have been informed by specific models of wall turbulence, notably the attached-eddy hypothesis. In this paper, we use dimensional analysis and similarity assumptions to derive three scaling relations for the turbulent-energy spectra, namely the spectral analogues of the law of the wall, the defect law and the log law. By design, each spectral analogue applies in the same spatial domain as the attendant scaling relation for the mean-velocity profiles: the spectral analogue of the law of the wall in the inner layer, the spectral analogue of the defect law in the outer layer and the spectral analogue of the log law in the overlap layer. In addition, as we are able to show without invoking any model of wall turbulence, each spectral analogue applies in a specific spectral domain (the spectral analogue of the law of the wall in the high-wavenumber spectral domain, where viscosity is active, the spectral analogue of the defect law in the low-wavenumber spectral domain, where viscosity is negligible, and the spectral analogue of the log law in a transitional intermediate-wavenumber spectral domain, which may become sizable only at ultra-high$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\mathit{Re}_{\tau }$), with the implication that there exist model-independent one-to-one links between the spatial domains and the spectral domains. We test the spectral analogues using experimental and computational data on pipe flow and channel flow.

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