The aim of the thesis is to develop and validate subgrid-scale models that are relevant for large eddy simulations of complex flows including scalar mixing. A stochastic Smagorinsky model with adjustable variance and time scale is developed by adding a stochastic component to the Smagorinsky constant. The stochastic model is shown to provide for backscatter of both kinetic energy and scalar variance without causing numerical instabilities. In addition, new models for the subgrid-scale stress and passive scalar flux are derived from modelled subgrid scale transport equations. These models properly account for the anisotropy of the subgrid scales and have potentials wall bounded flows. The proposed models are validated in wall bounded flows with and without rotation and show potential or significantly improve predictions for such cases. / <p>QC 20100826</p>

<p>The aim of the present study is to develop subgrid-scale models that are relevant for complex flows and combustion. A stochastic model based on a stochastic Smagorinsky constant with adjustable variance and time scale is proposed. The stochastic model is shown to provide for backscatter of both kinetic energy and scalar variance without causing numerical instabilities. A new subgrid-scale scalar flux model is developed using the same kind of methodology that leads to the explicit algebraic scalar flux model, EASFM, for RANS. The new model predicts the anisotropy of the subgrid-scales in a more realistic way than the eddy diffusion model. Both new models were tested in rotating homogeneous shear flow with a passive scalar. Rogallo’s method of moving the frame with the mean flow to enable periodic boundary conditions was used to simulate homogeneous shear flow.</p>

A low-order discrete dynamical system (DDS) for finite-rate chemistry of H2-air combustion is derived in 3D. Fourier series with a single wavevector are employed to represent dependent variables of subgrid-scale (SGS) behaviors for applications to large-eddy simulation (LES). A Galerkin approximation is applied to the governing equations for comprising the DDS. Regime maps are employed to aid qualitative determination of useful values for bifurcation parameters of the DDS. Both isotropic and anisotropic assumptions are employed when constructing regime maps and studying bifurcation parameters sequences. For H2-air reactions, two reduced chemical mechanisms are studied via the DDS. As input to the DDS, physical quantities from experimental turbulent flow are used. Numerical solutions consisting of time series of velocities, species mass fractions, temperature, and the sum of mass fractions are analyzed. Numerical solutions are compared with experimental data at selected spatial locations within the experimental flame to check whether this model is suitable for an entire flame field. The comparisons show the DDS can mimic turbulent combustion behaviors in a qualitative sense, and the time-averaged computed results of some species are quantitatively close to experimental data.

This dissertation consists of two parts, i.e. dynamic approaches for subgrid-scale (SGS) stress modelling for large eddy simulation and advanced assessment of the resolved scale motions related to turbulence geometrical statistics and topologies. The numerical simulations are based on turbulent Couette flow. The first part of the dissertation presents four contributions to the development of dynamic SGS models. The conventional integral type dynamic localization SGS model is in the form of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. This model is mathematically consistent, but demanding in computational cost. An efficient solution scheme has been developed to solve the integral system for turbulence with homogeneous dimensions. Current approaches to the dynamic two-parameter mixed model (DMM2) are mathematically inconsistent. As a second contribution, the DMM2 has been optimized and a modelling system of two integral equations has been rigorously obtained. The third contribution relates to the development of a novel dynamic localization procedure for the Smagorinsky model using the functional variational method. A sufficient and necessary condition for localization is obtained and a Picard's integral equation for the model coefficient is deduced. Finally, a new dynamic nonlinear SGS stress model (DNM) based on Speziale's quadratic constitutive relation [J. Fluid Mech., 178, p.459, 1987] is proposed. The DNM allows for a nonlinear anisotropic representation of the SGS stress, and exhibits a significant local stability and flexibility in self-calibration. In the second part, the invariant properties of the resolved velocity gradient tensor are studied using recently developed methodologies, i.e. turbulence geometrical statistics and topology. The study is a posteriori based on the proposed DNM, which is different than most of the current a priori approaches based on experimental or DNS databases. The performance of the DNM is further validated in terms of its capability of simulating advanced geometrical and topological features of resolved scale motions. Phenomenological results include, e.g. the positively skewed resolved enstrophy generation, the alignment between the vorticity and vortex stretching vectors, and the pear-shape joint probability function contour in the tensorial invariant phase plane. The wall anisotropic effect on these results is also examined.

This dissertation consists of two parts, i.e. dynamic approaches for subgrid-scale (SGS) stress modelling for large eddy simulation and advanced assessment of the resolved scale motions related to turbulence geometrical statistics and topologies. The numerical simulations are based on turbulent Couette flow. The first part of the dissertation presents four contributions to the development of dynamic SGS models. The conventional integral type dynamic localization SGS model is in the form of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. This model is mathematically consistent, but demanding in computational cost. An efficient solution scheme has been developed to solve the integral system for turbulence with homogeneous dimensions. Current approaches to the dynamic two-parameter mixed model (DMM2) are mathematically inconsistent. As a second contribution, the DMM2 has been optimized and a modelling system of two integral equations has been rigorously obtained. The third contribution relates to the development of a novel dynamic localization procedure for the Smagorinsky model using the functional variational method. A sufficient and necessary condition for localization is obtained and a Picard's integral equation for the model coefficient is deduced. Finally, a new dynamic nonlinear SGS stress model (DNM) based on Speziale's quadratic constitutive relation [J. Fluid Mech., 178, p.459, 1987] is proposed. The DNM allows for a nonlinear anisotropic representation of the SGS stress, and exhibits a significant local stability and flexibility in self-calibration. In the second part, the invariant properties of the resolved velocity gradient tensor are studied using recently developed methodologies, i.e. turbulence geometrical statistics and topology. The study is a posteriori based on the proposed DNM, which is different than most of the current a priori approaches based on experimental or DNS databases. The performance of the DNM is further validated in terms of its capability of simulating advanced geometrical and topological features of resolved scale motions. Phenomenological results include, e.g. the positively skewed resolved enstrophy generation, the alignment between the vorticity and vortex stretching vectors, and the pear-shape joint probability function contour in the tensorial invariant phase plane. The wall anisotropic effect on these results is also examined.

The aim of the present study is to develop subgrid-scale models that are relevant for complex flows and combustion. A stochastic model based on a stochastic Smagorinsky constant with adjustable variance and time scale is proposed. The stochastic model is shown to provide for backscatter of both kinetic energy and scalar variance without causing numerical instabilities. A new subgrid-scale scalar flux model is developed using the same kind of methodology that leads to the explicit algebraic scalar flux model, EASFM, for RANS. The new model predicts the anisotropy of the subgrid-scales in a more realistic way than the eddy diffusion model. Both new models were tested in rotating homogeneous shear flow with a passive scalar. Rogallo’s method of moving the frame with the mean flow to enable periodic boundary conditions was used to simulate homogeneous shear flow. / QC 20101119

The objective of this thesis is to study the evolution of scalar field carried by a flow from a temporal image sequence. The estimation of the velocity field of turbulent flow is of major importance for understanding the physical phenomenon. Up to now the problem of turbulence is generally ignored in the flow equation of existing methods. An information given by image is discrete at pixel size. Depending on the turbulent rate of the flow, pixel and time resolutions may become too large to neglect the effect of sub-pixel small-scales on the pixel velocity field. For this, we propose a flow equation defined by a filtered concentration transport equation where a classic turbulent sub-grid eddy viscosity model is introduced in order to account for this effect. To formulate the problem, we use a Markovian approach. An unwarping multiresolution by pyramidal decomposition is proposed which reduces the number of operations on images. The optimization coupled with a multigrid approach allows to estimate the optimal 2D real velocity field. Our approach is tested on synthetic andreal image sequences (PIV laboratory experiment and remote sensing data of dust storm event) with high Reynolds number. Comparisons with existing approaches are very promising.

L’objectif de cette thèse est l’étude de l’évolution de champ scalaire transporté par un écoulement à partir d’une séquence d’images temporelles. L’estimation du champ de vitesse d’un écoulement turbulent est d’une importance majeure pour mieux comprendre le phénomène physique. Jusqu’à présent, le problème de la turbulence est généralement ignoré dans l’équation de mouvement des méthodes existantes. Les images contiennent une information discrète correspondant à la taille du pixel. Selon le niveau de turbulence de l’écoulement, les résolutions des pixels et du temps peuvent devenir trop grandes pour négliger l’effet des petites échelles (sous-pixel) sur le champ de vitesse. Nous proposons pour cela, une équation de mouvement définie par l’équation de transport de concentration filtrée pour laquelle un modèle classique de viscosité turbulente sous-maille est introduit afin de tenir compte de cet effet. Nous utilisons pour formuler le problème, une approche Markovienne. Une méthode de multirésolution par décomposition pyramidale, sans transformation d’image intermédiaire au cours du processus, est proposée. Cela permet de diminuer le nombre d’opérations sur les images. La méthode d’optimisation utilisée, couplée avec une approche multigrille, permet d’obtenir le champ de vitesse réel optimal. Notre approche est testée sur des séquences d’images synthétiques et réelles (expérience PIV et tempête de sable à partir d’image de télédétection) avec des nombres de Reynolds élevés. Les comparaisons avec des approches existantes sont très prometteuses. / The objective of this thesis is to study the evolution of scalar field carried by a flow from a temporal image sequence. The estimation of the velocity field of turbulent flow is of major importance for understanding the physical phenomenon. Up to now the problem of turbulence is generally ignored in the flow equation of existing methods. An information given by image is discrete at pixel size. Depending on the turbulent rate of the flow, pixel and time resolutions may become too large to neglect the effect of sub-pixel small-scales on the pixel velocity field. For this, we propose a flow equation defined by a filtered concentration transport equation where a classic turbulent sub-grid eddy viscosity model is introduced in order to account for this effect. To formulate the problem, we use a Markovian approach. An unwarping multiresolution by pyramidal decomposition is proposed which reduces the number of operations on images. The optimization coupled with a multigrid approach allows to estimate the optimal 2D real velocity field. Our approach is tested on synthetic andreal image sequences (PIV laboratory experiment and remote sensing data of dust storm event) with high Reynolds number. Comparisons with existing approaches are very promising.

Cette thèse est consacrée à la simulation du mélange de scalaires passifs à grand nombre de Schmidt (faible diffusion), au moyen d’un modèle de sous-maille structurel pour la Simulation aux Grandes Echelles (LES pour Large Eddy Simulation) reposant sur le caractère multifractal des champs de gradient en turbulence. L’analyse multifractale des champs de dissipation scalaire permet, à l’aide d’une description statistique des singularités, de prendre en compte l’intermittence inhérente à ces champs. Des simulations numériques directes du mélange à différents nombres de Schmidt supérieurs à l’unité sont mises en oeuvre. Une analyse multifractale au moyen de différentes méthodes est menée afin d’obtenir les spectres de singularités de la dissipation scalaire. Une implantation du modèle de sous-maille multifractal pour la vitesse, proposé par Burton et al., est d’abord réalisée dans le code volumes finis YALES2.Une modification du modèle équivalent pour les scalaires, reposant sur une cascade multiplicative pour reconstruire la dissipation scalaire de sous-maille, est proposée afin de prendre en compte le micro-mélange à grand nombre de Schmidt. Ce modèle de sous-maille est alors évalué au moyen de tests a priori. / This thesis is focused on the simulation of turbulent mixing of passive scalars at high Schmidt numbers (low diffusivity). The modeling work is based on a structural subgrid-scale model for Large Eddy Simulation relying on the multifractal nature of gradient fields in turbulence.The multifractal formalism provides a mean to handle the characteristic intermittency of scalar dissipation fields through a statistical description of their singularities. Direct Numerical Simulations of mixing at several Schmidt numbers above unity are run with a dedicated code. Different methods are used to perform a multifractal analysis of scalar dissipation. The multifractal subgrid-scale model of Burton et al. for velocity is implemented in the Finite Volume code YALES2. A modification of the equivalent multifractal model for scalars is proposed to take into account micro-mixing at high Schmidt numbers. The model shows satisfactory results when tested a priori against direct simulations.

The present thesis deals with a number of challenges in the field of large eddy simulation (LES). These include the performance of subgrid-scale (SGS) models at fairly high Reynolds numbers and coarse resolutions, passive scalar and stochastic modeling in LES. The fully-developed turbulent channel flow is used as the test case for these investigations. The advantage of this particular test case is that highly accurate pseudo-spectral methods can be used for the discretization of the governing equations. In the absence of discretization errors, a better understanding of the subgrid-scale model performance can be achieved. Moreover, the turbulent channel flow is a challenging test case for LES, since it shares some of the common important features of all wall-bounded turbulent flows. Most commonly used eddy-viscosity-type models are suitable for moderately to highly-resolved LES cases, where the unresolved scales are approximately isotropic. However, this makes simulations of high Reynolds number wall-bounded flows computationally expensive. In contrast, explicit algebraic (EA) model takes into account the anisotropy of SGS motions and performs well in predicting the flow statistics in coarse-grid LES cases. Therefore, LES of high Reynolds number wall-bounded flows can be performed at much lower number of grid points in comparison with other models. A demonstration of the resolution requirements for the EA model in comparison with the dynamic Smagorinsky and its high-pass filtered version for a fairly high Reynolds number is given in this thesis. One of the shortcomings of the commonly used eddy diffusivity model arises from its assumption of alignment of the SGS scalar flux vector with the resolved scalar gradients. However, better SGS scalar flux models that overcome this issue are very few. Using the same methodology that led to the EA SGS stress model, a new explicit algebraic SGS scalar flux model is developed, which allows the SGS scalar fluxes to be partially independent of the resolved scalar gradient. The model predictions are verified and found to improve the scalar statistics in comparison with the eddy diffusivity model. The intermittent nature of energy transfer between the large and small scales of turbulence is often not fully taken into account in the formulation of SGS models both for velocity and scalar. Using the Langevin stochastic differential equation, the EA models are extended to incorporate random variations in their predictions which lead to a reasonable amount of backscatter of energy from the SGS to the resolved scales. The stochastic EA models improve the predictions of the SGS dissipation by decreasing its length scale and improving the shape of its probability density function. / QC 20110615