Comparative Tests on Sub-Grid Scale Models using Periodic Unsteady Anisotropic Low Reynolds Number Turbulent Flows

This study investigates the prediction accuracy of the Smagorinsky model in low Reynolds number periodic unsteady anisotropic turbulence. This model is required to decrease the value of the model constant with decreasing Reynolds number under low Reynolds number conditions, as seen in wall turbulence. The turbulent kinetic energy results predicted using the Smagorinsky model obtained in this study are compared with those obtained using the Vreman and coherent structure models. A large-eddy simulation based on the fourth-order central difference method is used in this study. Here, the model constants of each model are calibrated using turbulent fields under a high Reynolds number condition. Values of turbulent kinetic energy are presented by using not only time series results but also periodic averaged results. For the turbulence fields analysed in this study, the results obtained from the Smagorinsky model predictions agree with those obtained from the Vreman and coherent structure models under the low Reynolds number conditions.