Direct Numerical Simulation of a separated channel flow with a smooth profile

TL;DR

This paper presents a DNS study of a curved channel flow at moderate Reynolds number, analyzing flow separation, vortex generation, and turbulence characteristics using a spectral discretization method.

Contribution

It introduces a spectral DNS approach for curved channel flows with adverse pressure gradients, capturing flow separation and turbulence details.

Findings

Flow slightly separates on the lower curved wall.

Intense vortices form near separation lines.

Turbulent stresses and energy budgets are characterized.

Abstract

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a channel flow with one curved surface was performed at moderate Reynolds number (Re_tau = 395 at the inlet). The adverse pressure gradient was obtained by a wall curvature through a mathematical mapping from physical coordinates to Cartesian ones. The code, using spectral spanwise and normal discretization, combines the advantage of a good accuracy with a fast integration procedure compared to standard numerical procedures for complex geometries. The turbulent flow slightly separates on the profile at the lower curved wall and is at the onset of separation at the opposite flat wall. The thin separation bubble is characterized with a reversal flow fraction. Intense vortices are generated near the separation line on the lower wall but also at the upper wall. Turbulent normal stresses and kinetic energy budget are investigated along the channel.