Improved Subfilter-Scale Models from the HATS Field Data

Abstract

AbstractAn earlier paper proposed simple rate-equation models for subfilter-scale (SFS) scalar flux and deviatoric stress in the terra incognita—that is, in numerical modeling applications where the filter (grid-mesh) scale is of the order of the scale of the turbulence. Here the physics in these models is extended and further tested against data from the Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (HATS) experiment. It is found that extensions of the SFS scalar-flux model do not appreciably improve its performance, although an advection term (which could easily be used in modeling applications) substantially and realistically increases the fluctuation level of SFS scalar flux. The addition of buoyancy and rapid-mean-shear terms to the SFS stress model does improve its performance, bringing it to the level of the scalar-flux model.