Assessment of the SSG Pressure-Strain Model in Free Turbulent Jets With and Without Swirl

Abstract

Data from free turbulent jets both with and without swirl are used to assess the performance of the pressure-strain model of Speziale, Sarkar and Gatski, which is quadratic in the Reynolds stresses. Comparative predictions are also obtained with the two versions of the Launder, Reece and Rodi model, which are linear in the same terms. All models are used as part of a complete second-order closure based on the solution of differential transport equations for each nonzero component of uiuj together with an equation for the scalar energy dissipation rate. For nonswirling jets, the quadratic model underestimates the measured spreading rate of the plane jet but yields a better prediction for the axisymmetric case without resolving the plane jet/round jet anomaly. For the swirling axisymmetric jet, the same model accurately reproduces the effects of swirl on both the mean flow and the turbulence structure in sharp contrast with the linear models which yield results that are in serious error. The reasons for these differences are discussed.