Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations

Navier Stokes equations (for Cartesian coordinates in conservative form with no body forces and
assuming an incompressible fluid):

!
(u 2 ) (u v) (u w ) $ ' u * ' u * ' u * p

u
& = ) , + ) , + ) ,
# +
+
+
x
y
z &% x ( x + y ( y + z ( z + x
#" t
2
!
$
v ( v u) ( v ) ( v w ) & ' v * ' v * ' v * p
#

+
+
+
= ) , + ) , + ) ,
x
y
z &% x ( x + y ( y + z ( z + y
#" t

2 $
!
w ( w u) ( w v ) ( w ) & ' w * ' w * ' w * p
# +
+
+
= )
, + )
,
, + )
x
y
z &% x ( x + y ( y + z ( z + z
#" t

Write using Einstein notation (sum each repeated index over i, j, and k) for Cartesian coordinates
and the x-component where (xi, xj, xk) = (x, y, z) and (ui, uj, uk) = (u, v, w):

! u (u j ui ) $ ' u * p
&=
)) i ,,
# i +
x j &% x j ( x j + xi
#" t
Alternatively, in terms of mean strain rate, sij = 12 ( ui x j + u j xi ) , where for incompressible
flow by conservation of mass ui xi = 0 :

! u (u j ui ) $
p
&=
# i +
2 s ji )
(
x j &% x j
xi
#" t
Define mean and fluctuating components for velocity and pressure:

ui ( xi , x j , xk , t ) = ui ( xi , x j , xk ) + ui! ( xi , x j , xk , t ) , p ( xi , x j , xk , t ) = p ( xi , x j , xk ) + p! ( xi , x j , xk , t )
Substitute in mean and fluctuating compents and expand to get:

&( u + u! "(u + u! ) (u + u!)$*(

(
) # j j i i %+ = "- (ui + ui!) $. ( p + p!)
' i i +
xj
x j .%
xi
)( t
,( x j -#
" u (u!) (u j ui ) (u j ui!) (ui u!j ) (u!j ui!) % " ( u u! +% p p!
$ ** i + i --'
'=
$ i +
+
+
+
+

x
$#
'&
j
j
j
j
j $
# ) x j x j ,'& xi xi

Time average equations and apply the following rules:

ui = ui

ui + u"i = ui + u"i = ui

ui u#j = ui u# j = 0

ui ui
=
x j xj

ui2 = ui 2

u"i u"j < 0

Many terms cancel to give Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations:

$ p
! u (u j ui ) $ ! ' u *
# )) i ,, u.j ui.&
&=
# i +
x j &% x j #" ( x j +
#" t
&% xi

! u (u j ui ) $
p
&=
# i +
2 s ji u(j ui(
x j &% x j
xi
#" t

NOTE: RANS equations have additional shear stress terms due to turbulent mixing.
Momentum transfer is by two mechanisms:
1. Viscosity (or friction) between moving adjacent fluid layers; microscopic effect (due to
rubbing of adjacent molecules) referred to as diffusion of momentum
2. Bulk fluid motion between different flow regions due to average and fluctuating velocity
components; macroscopic mixing effect referred to as advection of momentum; fluctuating
component results in apparent stress called Reynolds Stresses (after Osburn Reynolds in 1880s)

ij! = !ji = ui! u!j

(where i = j for normal stress)

NOTE: Reynolds stresses are positive because the velocity fluctuations are correlated through
conservation of mass such that ui! u!j < 0 .
Boussinesq Hypothesis defines turbulent viscosity, t , or eddy viscosity, M = t :

#u u & 2 #
u &
ij! = ui! u!j = t %% j + i (( % k + t k ( ij ,
xk '
$ xi x j ' 3 $
! u $* 1 p
ui (u j ui ) '
)( + M ) ## i &&,
+
=
t
xj
x j )(
" x j %,+ xi

ui (u j ui ) !
1 p
+
=
"2 ( + M ) s ji #$
t
xj
xj
xi

$1 for i = j
ij = %
&0 for i j