Assignment 4

Derivation of the RANS equations

Computational Fluid Dynamics - TMMV08
Jonas Lantz

Introduction
The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are, together with a
suitable turbulence model, commonly used when calculating turbulent flows in
engineering applications. A flow variable is decomposed into a time-averaged
component (denoted with an overbar) and a fluctuating component (denoted with a prime) as:
(x, t) = (x) + (x, t)

(1)

where x = (x, y, z) and t time. Then, a time-average is taken, which eliminates

some terms and introduces new ones.

Assignment
Your assignment is to derive the RANS equation for the incompressible NavierStokes equation in the x-direction. This is done by introducing the decomposition in Eq. 1 and taking the time-average. The continuity equation and the
incompressible Navier-Stokes equation in the x-direction are:
u v w
+
+
=0
x y
z

(2)

 2u 2u 2u 
u
u
u
u
1 p
+u
+v
+w
=
+
+ 2 + 2
t
x
y
z
x
x2
y
z

(3)

In the above equations u, v, w are the velocities in the x, y, z directions, is the

density, p is the pressure and is the kinematic viscosity.
You must make a thorough derivation, explaining every step you make. The
use of tensor notation is not permitted. One way of making the derivation easy
to read is to treat each term separately when performing the decomposition
and time-averaging, and then assemble all the terms into a final expression.

Examination
You are allowed to work in pairs of two students per assignment. For this assignment only, a handwritten report is accepted, even though a printed version is
preferable. Leave your report in the postbox marked TMMV08 reports in in
the C-corridor, entrance 15. The corrected reports are handed out at the same
location in the folder marked TMMV08 reports out. Grade is PASS/FAIL
and the deadline is Monday 3/3 at 07.59.59. If you fail the assignment you will
have one week to resubmit a new version.
Good luck!

Useful hints
The time-average of a variable is defined as:
1
= lim
T T

dt

(4)

The time-average of a fluctuating component is zero:

= 0

(5)

Time-averaging does not affect an already time-averaged variable:

=

(6)

Differential (and integral) operators commute with averaging:

=
x
x

(7)

+ =+

(8)

and so does also addition:

Averaging a constant times a variable :
=

(9)

To obtain the final expression you need to show that:

u

u
u
u
+ v
+ w
x
y
z

(10)

can be written as:

(u u ) (u v ) (u w )
+
+
x
y
z
(this can be done with the RANS-version of the continuity equation)

(11)