Large eddy simulations of turbulent pipe flows at moderate Reynolds numbers

Abstract

Wall-bounded turbulence is relevant for many engineering and natural science applications, yet there are still aspects of its underlying physics that are not fully understood, particularly at high Reynolds numbers. In this study, we investigate fully developed turbulent pipe flows at moderate-to-high friction velocity Reynolds numbers (361≤Reτ≤2000), corresponding to bulk velocity-based Reynolds numbers of 11 700≤Reb≤82 500, using wall-modeled large eddy simulations (LES) in OpenFOAM. A grid convergence study is performed for Reτ=361, followed by an investigation of the accuracy of various subgrid-scale stress models for the same Reynolds number. Results show that the wall-adapting local eddy (WALE) model performs well compared to experiments and direct numerical simulations, while one-equation eddy-viscosity model and Smagorinsky are too dissipative. LES utilizing WALE is then performed for four different Reynolds numbers with gradually refined grids, revealing excellent agreement with DNS data in the outer region. However, a significant deviation from DNS data is observed in the sub-viscous layer region, indicating the need for further mesh refinement in the wall-normal direction to accurately capture the smallest-scale motions' behavior. Additional mesh sensitivity analysis uncovered that, as the Reτ value rises, it becomes crucial for a grid to adhere to the condition of Δx+≤20−25 and Δz+≤10 in order to precisely capture substantial large and small-scale fluctuations. Overall, the WALE model enables accurate numerical simulations of high-Reynolds number, wall-bounded flows at a fraction of the computational cost required for temporal and spatial resolution of the inner layer.