Lecture 2:

RANS Turbulence Models in ANSYS Fluent

15.0 Release

Turbulence Modeling Using ANSYS Fluent

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Overview
RANS models in ANSYS-Fluent
Spalart-Allmaras model
k-e family of models
k-w family of models
Includes transition models (covered in L-3)
Includes SAS model (covered in L-4)

Reynolds stress models

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Turbulence Models Available in ANSYS Fluent

One-Equation Model
Spalart-Allmaras
Two-Equation Models
Standard k
RNG k
Realizable k
Standard k
SST k
4-Equation v2f *
Intermittency Transition Model
kkl Transition Model
Transition SST Model
Reynolds Stress Model
Scale-Adaptive Simulation
Detached Eddy Simulation
Large Eddy Simulation

RANS based
models

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Increase in
Computational Cost
Per Iteration

Spalart-Allmaras Model Equations

Modified turbulent viscosity
~
~ 2
~ 2

D~

~ ~ 1

~
cw1 f w

cb1S

cb 2

Dt
~ x j
x j

x
d
j

3
~
~
t f v1 , f v1 3
,
3

cv1

~
~
S S 2 2 fv2 ,
d

fv2 1

1 f v1

1/ 6

1 6
f w g 6 cw63 ,
g cw3

damping functions

g r cw 2 r 6 r ,

~
r ~ 2 2
S d

Wall boundary condition : ~ 0

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normal distance from

the wall

Spalart-Allmaras Production Term

Default definition uses rotation rate tensor only:

2 ijij ;

1 U i U j
ij

2 x j x i

Alternative formulation also uses strain rate tensor:

S ij Cprod min(0, Sij - ij )
reduces turbulent viscosity for vortical flows
more correctly accounts for the effects of rotation
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Spalart-Allmaras Model
Spalart-Allmaras model developed for unstructured codes in
aerospace industry

Increasingly popular for turbomachinery applications

Low-Re formulation by default
can be integrated right down to the viscous sublayer
Fluents implementation can also use the wall function (law of the wall)

Economical and accurate for:

wall-bounded flows
flows with mild separation and recirculation

Weak for:
massively separated flows
free shear flows
simple decaying turbulence
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Two-Equation Models
Two transport equations are solved, giving two independent scales
for calculating t
Virtually all use the transport equation for the turbulent kinetic energy, k
Several transport variables have been proposed, based on dimensional
arguments, and used for second equation

Kolmogorov, w : t k / w , l k 1/2 / w , k e / w
w is specific dissipation rate
defined in terms of large eddy scales that define supply rate of k
Chou, e :
t k2 / e , l k3/2 / e
Rotta, l :
t k1/2 l , e k3/2 / l
Boussinesq relation still used for Reynolds Stresses
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Standard k-e Model Equations

k transport equation
Dk

Dt x j

e transport equation
De

Dt x j

t

e

k
2

t S e ;
x j

production dissipation

inverse time scale

k , e , Cie , Ce 2

Empirical constants determined from benchmark

experiments of simple flows using air and water

Finally, turbulent viscosity

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e e
2

C1e t S C2e e
x j k

coefficients

S 2Sij Sij

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t C

k2

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Closure Coefficients
Simple flows render simpler model equations
Coefficients can be isolated and compared with experiment
e.g.,
Uniform flow past grid

Standard k-e equations reduce to just convection and dissipation terms

dk
de
e2
U
e ; U
C2e
dx
dx
k

Homogeneous Shear Flow

Near-Wall (Log layer) Flow

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Standard k-e Model

High-Reynolds number model
(i.e., must be modified for the near-wall region)
The term standard refers to the choice of coefficients
Sometimes additional terms are included
production due to buoyancy

unstable stratification (gT > 0) supports k production

dilatation dissipation due to compressibility
added dissipation term, prevents overprediction of spreading rate in compressible flows

Dk

Dt
x j

t k
t
k
2

2
e

t
i
k x j
Pr t x i
RT

Buoyancy
production

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Dilatation
Dissipation

Standard k-e Model Pros & Cons

Strengths:
robust
economical
reasonable accuracy for a wide range of flows
Weaknesses:
overly diffusive for many situations

flows involving strong streamline curvature, swirl, rotation, separating flows, low-Re flows

cannot predict round jet spreading rate

Variants of the k-e model have been developed to address its
deficiencies
RNG and Realizable
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RNG k-e Model Equations

Derived using renormalization group theory
scale-elimination technique applied to Navier-Stokes equations (sensitizes
equations to specific flow regimes)

k equation is similar to standard k-e model

Additional strain rate term in e - equation
most significant difference between standard and RNG k-e models
Analytical formula for turbulent Prandtl numbers
Differential-viscosity relation for low Reynolds numbers
Boussinesq model used by default

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e transport equation

C2*e C2e

De

Dt
xj

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e e
2
*
e eff
C1e t S C2e e where
x j

k
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C 3
1
0

1 3

e
0 , a re coe ffi ci e n
ts
eff t

RNG k-e Model Pros & Cons

For large strain rates:
where > 0 , e is augmented, and therefore k and t are reduced
Option to modify turbulent viscosity to account for swirl

Buoyancy and compressibility terms can be included

Improved performance over std. k-e model for
rapidly strained flows
flows with streamline curvature
Still suffers from the inherent limitations of an isotropic eddyviscosity model
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Realizable k-e Model: Motivation

Standard k-e model could not ensure:
Positivity of normal stresses
2 0
u

Schwarzs inequality of shear stresses

u u 2 u2 u 2

Modifications made to standard model

k equation is same; new formulation for t and e
C is variable

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equation is based on a transport equation for the mean-square

vorticity fluctuation

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Realizable k-e Model: Realizability

How can normal stresses become negative?

Standard k-e Boussinesq viscosity relation:

k 2 U i U j 2
u i u j C

- k ij

e x j x i 3

Normal component:
2
k 2 U
u k 2C
3
e x
2

Normal stress will be negative if:

k U
1

3.7
e x 3C
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Realizable k-e Model: C

C is not a constant, but varies as a function of mean velocity field and turbulence
(0.09 in log-layer S k / e = 3.3, 0.05 in shear layer of S k / e = 6)

C along bottom-wall
C contours for 2D backward-facing step
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Realizable k-e Model Equations

e transport equation

De

Dt x j

t e
e2

C1 S e C2
e x j
k e

C1 max 0.43,
, S k / e , C2 1.0

turbulent viscosity t C

where

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k2

1
A0 As

U *k

1
A0 4.04, As 6 cos , cos 1 6W
3
S
S
~
ij jk S ki
*
U S ij S ij ij ij , W
,
S
S ij S ij
~
S

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Realizable k-e Model Pros & Cons

Performance generally exceeds the standard k-e model
Buoyancy and compressibilty terms can be included
Good for complex flows with large strain rates
recirculation, rotation, separation, strong P
Resolves the round-jet/plane jet anomaly
predicts the spreading rate for round and plane jets

Still suffers from the inherent limitations of an isotropic

eddy-viscosity model
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Standard and SST k-w Models

k-w models are a popular alternative to k-e
w ~ e/k
t k / w
Can be used in the near-wall region without modification
Wilcoxs original model was found to be quite sensitive to inlet and
far-field boundary values of w
Latest version contains several refinements:
reduced sensitivity to boundary conditions
modification for the round-jet/plane-jet anomaly
compressibility effects
low-Re (near wall) effects
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Standard k-w Model

Standard k-w model in Fluent is Wilcox 1998 model
t *

Dk
U i

ij
* f * kw
Dt
x j
x j

t

k

Dw
w U i

ij
f w2
Dt
k
x j
x j

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x
j

t w

w
j

Standard k-w Turbulent Viscosity

Turbulent viscosity is computed from:
t *

0* ReT Rk

, 0* i ,
where
3
1 ReT Rk
k
Rk 6 , ReT
, * 1.0
*

9
125

The dependency of * upon ReT was designed to recover the

correct asymptotic values in the limiting cases. In particular, note
that:
* 1 as ReT (fullyturbulent)
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Standard k-w: Turbulent Kinetic Energy

Dk
U i

t k

ij
* f * kw

Dt
x j
x j
k x j

Dissipation rate of k
production of k

* i* 1 * F M t

*
i

4 15 ReT R
1 ReT R

, R 8

k 2.0, * 1.5, * 0.09

Diffusion of k

0
M t M t0
F M t 2
M t M t20 M t M t 0
2k
1
M t2 2 , M t 0 , a RT
a
4
k 0
1
1 k w

2
f * 1 680 k
, k 3
w xj xj
1 400 2 k 0

cross- diffusionparameter

Note the dependence upon ReT , Mt , and k

Dilatation dissipation is accounted for via Mt term

The cross-diffusion parameter ( k ) is designed to improve free shear flow predictions

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Standard k-w: Specific Dissipation Equation

Dw
w U i

ij
fw 2
Dt
k
x j
x j

x
j

0 ReT Rw
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1
, , 0 , Rw 2.95 , w 2.0
*
1 ReT Rw
25
9

S
i* *

1 70 w
i 1 F M t , f
, w ij * jk 3ki , * 1.5
1 80 w
w
i

Sij

1 U i U j
1 U U j

, ij i
2 x j x i
2 x j x i

Note the dependence upon ReT , Mt , and w

Vortex-stretching parameter (w) designed to remedy the plane/round-jet anomaly
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Standard k-w: Sub-models & Options (1)

Low-Re Corrections option
Corresponds to all terms involving ReT

terms in the model equations

Deactivated by default
Can benefit low-Re flows where the mesh
can support good near-wall resolution

Compressibility Effects option

Takes effects via F(Mt)
Accounts for dilatation dissipation
e es ed ,

ed

4 uk u

3
xk xk

Available with ideal-gas option only and is turned off by default

Improves predictions for high-Mach number free shear flows
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reduces spreading rates

Standard k-w: Sub-models & Options (2)

Shear-Flow Corrections option activated by default
Controls both cross-diffusion and vortex-stretching terms
Cross-diffusion term (in k equation)
f*

1 680 k2
1 400 2
k

k 0
k 0

k w
w x x
jj

cross- diffusionparameter

Designed to improve the model performance for free shear flows without affecting boundary
layer flows

Vortex-stretching term

Designed to resolve the round/plane-jet anomaly

Takes effects for axi-symmetric and 3-D flows but vanishes for planar 2-D flows
f

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1 70 w
,
1 80 w

ij jk S ki

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Menters SST k-w Model: Background

Many people, including Menter (1994), have noted that:
Wilcox original k-w model is overly sensitive to the freestream
value (BC) of w, while k-e model is not prone to such problem

The k-w model has many good attributes and performs much
better than k-e models for boundary layer flows

Most two-equation models, including k-e models, over-predict

turbulent stresses in the wake (velocity-defect) region, which leads
to poor performance of the models for boundary layers under
adverse pressure gradient and separated flows

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Menters SST k-w Model: Main Components

The SST k-w model consists of
Zonal (blended) k-w/k-e equations (to address item 1 and 2 in the
previous slide)
Clipping of turbulent viscosity so that turbulent stresses stay within what
is dictated by the structural similarity constant. (Bradshaw, 1967) addresses item 3 in the previous slide
Outer layer (wake and
outward)

k-w model transformed

from standard3 2k-e model
e

Inner layer
(sublayer, log-layer)

Modified Wilcox k-w model

Wilcox original k-w model
Wall

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k
e

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Menters SST k-w Model: Inner Layer

The k-w model equations for the inner layer are taken from the
Wilcox original k-w model with some constants modified
U i
t k
Dk

ij
*kw

Dt
x j
x j

k 1 x j

U i
t w
Dw

1 ij
1 w 2

Dt
t
x j
x j

w 1 x j

1 0.075 ,
* 0.09 ,
t

1 1 * 2

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w 1 2.0

* w1 ,

0.41

a1 k
max a 1 w , F2

F2 tanh arg 22 ,
28

k1 1.176 ,

2 k
500
arg 2 max
,
0.09w y y 2 w

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Menters SST k-w Model: Outer Layer

The k-w model equations for the outer layer are obtained from by
transforming the standard k-e equations via change-of-variable

U i
t
Dk

ij
* kw

Dt
x j
x j
k2

U i
Dw

2 ij
2 w 2
Dt
t
x j
x j
2 w 2

2 0.0828,
* 0.09 ,

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w2

x
j

1 k w
w x j x j

k 2 1.0 ,

2 2 * 2

Turbulent viscosity computed from:

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x
j

w 2 1.168

* w 2 ,

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0.41

Menters SST k-w: Blending the Equations

The two sets of equations and the model constants are blended in such a way that
the resulting equation set transitions smoothly from one equation to another
Dk

F1

1 F1
Dt
inner

Dk

Dt
outer

F1 1 1 F1 2
where , k , w ,

k-w model transformed

from std. ke model
k
3

Modified
Wilcoxk-kmodel
Wilcox
original
wwmodel
Wall
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F1 tanh arg14

k
500
arg1 min max
*w y , y 2 w

4 w 2 k
,
CD y 2

kw

1 k w
CDkw max 2 w 2
, 10 20

w x j x j

F1 1

in the inner layer

F1 0

in the outer layer

Menters SST k-w: Blended k-w Equations

The resulting blended equations are:

Dk
U i

t k

ij
*k w

Dt
x j
x j

k x j

Dw
U i

ij
w2
Dt
t
x j
x j
2 1 F1 w 2

F1 1 1 F1 2 ,

1 k w
w x j x j

, k , w ,

Wall
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Menters SST k-w: Turbulent Viscosity

Honors the structural similarity constant for boundary layers
(Bradshaw, 1967)
uv a1 k

uv
a1 (Bradshaw,1967)
k

Turbulent stress implied by turbulence models can be written as:

t

U
t a1 k
y

Pk

In many flow situations (e.g. adverse pressure gradient flows), production of

TKE can be much larger than dissipation ( Pk >> e ), which leads to predicted
turbulent stress larger than what is implied by the structural similarity constant
Turbulent stress can be limited by clipping the turbulent viscosity such that:

t a1 k
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Menters SST k-w Model Clipping t

Turbulent viscosity for the inner layer is computed from:
t

k ak
a1 k
min , 1
max a1w , F2
w F2

2 k 500
F2 tanh arg 22 , arg 2 max
, 2
0
.
09
w
y
y w

2ij ij (vorticity magnitude)

Remarks
F2 is equal to 1 inside boundary layer and goes to zero far from the wall and free

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shear layers
The name SST (shear-stress transport) originates from this
Note that the vorticity magnitude is used (strain-rate magnitude could also be used)

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Menters SST k-w: Submodels & Options

SST k-w model comes with:

Low-Re Corrections option

(Off by default)
Compressibility Effects option when idealgas option is selected
(Off by default)

The original SST k-w model in the

literature does not have any of these
options
These submodels are being borrowed from
Wilcox 1998 model - should be used with
caution
Do not activate any options to recover the
original SST model

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k-w Models: Boundary Conditions

Wall boundary conditions
The Enhanced Wall Treatment (EWT) is the sole near-wall option for k-w
models. Neither the standard wall functions option nor the nonequilibrium wall functions option is available for k-w models in ANSYS
Fluent
The blended laws of the wall are used exclusively

w values at wall adjacent cells are computed by blending the wall-limiting value ( y
0 ) and the value in the log-layer

The k-w models can be used with either a fine near-wall mesh or a coarse
near-wall mesh

For other BCs (e.g., inlet, free-stream), the following relationship

is used internally, whenever possible, to convert to and from
different turbulence quantities:

e *w k , * 0.09
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k-w Models: Pros & Cons

Use of w instead of e allows for better resolution of boundary
layers, especially under adverse pressure gradients

The Standard k-w model is sensitive to inlet and far field values
The SST k-w model does not suffer from this
Sometimes more difficult to converge than any of the k-e models
The best RANS models for wall bounded aerodynamic flows, e.g.
airfoils, compressors, turbines, and flows with separation due to
adverse pressure gradient
Use SST to prevent boundary condition sensitivity
Often the best models for heat transfer predictions
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Faults in the Boussinesq Assumption

Boussinesq: Rij = 2 t Sij

Is simple linear relationship sufficient?

Rij is strongly dependent on flow conditions and history
Rij changes at rates not entirely related to mean flow processes

Rij is not strictly aligned with Sij for flows with:

sudden changes in mean strain rate

extra rates of strain (e.g., rapid dilatation, strong streamline curvature)
rotating fluids
stress-induced secondary flows

Modifications to two-equation models cannot be generalized for

arbitrary flows
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Reynolds Stress Models

Starting point is the exact transport equations for the
transport of Reynolds stresses, Rij
six transport equations in 3D
Equations are obtained by Reynolds-averaging the product
of the exact momentum equations and a fluctuating velocity
uiNS (u j ) uj NS (ui ) 0

The resulting equations contain several terms that must be

modeled
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Reynolds Stress Transport Equations

Reynolds Stress
Transport Eqns.

DRij
Dt

Pij ij e ij

xk

(incompressible flow w/o body

forces)

Generation

U j

U i

Pij ui uk
u j uk

x
k
k

(computed)

Pressure-Strain
Redistribution

ui
u j
ij p

x
xi
j

(modeled)

Dissipation

e ij 2

Turbulent
Diffusion

J ijk pui jk pu j ik ui u j uk
(ui u j )

xk

ui u j
xk xk

Pressure/velocity
fluctuations
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J ijk

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(related to e)

Turbulent
transport

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Molecular
transport

(modeled)

Dissipation Modeling
Dissipation rate is predominantly associated with small scale
eddy motions
Large scale eddies affected by mean shear
Vortex stretching process breaks eddies down into continually smaller
scales
The directional bias imprinted on turbulence by mean flow is gradually lost
Small scale eddies assumed to be locally isotropic

2
e ij ij e
3
e is calculated with its own (or related) transport equation
Compressibility effects can be included
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Turbulent Diffusion
Most closure models combine the pressure diffusion with the
triple products and use a simple gradient diffusion hypothesis

xk

p'

u i u j u k kj u i ik u j
ui u j

xk

Or even a simpler model

x
k

k
u i u j
C u u
s e k l xl

xk

C k 2 ui u j

e xk

Overall performance of models for these terms is generally inconsistent

based on isolated comparisons to measured triple products

DNS data indicate that above p terms are negligible

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Pressure-Strain Modeling
Pressure-strain term of same order as production
Pressure-strain term acts to drive turbulence towards an
isotropic state by redistributing the Reynolds stresses
Decomposed into parts

ui u j

ij p

x x
i
j

ij ij ,1 ij ,2 ij , w

Slow Part
u j ui u j
1 2 p
ui

xi xi
xi x j xi

Rapid Part
ui U j
1 2 p
2
xi xi
x j xi

mean
gradient

Model of Launder, Reece & Rodi (1978)

U j
U i 2
U l
e
2

where
b

u
u

ij c1bij c 2 u i u l
u j ul

u
u

l m
ij
ij k i j
xl
xl 3
x m
3 ij

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Pressure-Strain Modeling Options

Wall-reflection effect
contains explicit distance from wall
damps the normal stresses perpendicular to wall
enhances stresses parallel to wall
SSG (Speziale, Sarkar and Gatski) Pressure Strain Model
Expands the basic LRR model to include non-linear (quadratic) terms
Superior performance demonstrated for some basic shear flows
plane strain, rotating plane shear, axisymmetric expansion/contraction

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Stress-w Model
Uses the w equation from the standard k-w model rather than
e from the k-e model

Selecting Low-Re Corrections in the viscous models panel

after selecting Stress-Omega activates the same terms
activated in the standard k-w model and also low Re
modifications of the pressure strain model
Potentially beneficial compared to other RSM options for flows
where the viscous sublayer must be resolved in order to
produce an accurate solution
Predictions of k-w models are generally superior to those of k-e models in
such flows

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Characteristics of RSM
Effects of curvature, swirl, and rotation are directly accounted
for in the transport equations for the Reynolds stresses
when anisotropy of turbulence significantly affects the mean flow,
consider RSM

More cpu resources (vs. k-e models) is needed

50-60% more CPU time per iteration and 15-20% additional memory
Strong coupling between Reynolds stresses and the mean flow
number of iterations required for convergence may increase
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Heat Transfer
The Reynolds averaging process produces an additional term
in the energy equation: uiq (q is the fluctuating component
of static temperature)
Analogous to the Reynolds stresses, this is called the turbulent heat flux
It is possible to model a transport equation for the heat flux, but this is not

common practice
Instead, a turbulent thermal diffusivity is defined proportional to the
turbulent viscosity
The constant of proportionality is called the turbulent Prandtl number
Generally assumed that Pr t ~ 0.85-0.9

Applicable to other scalar transport equations

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