Abstract

In this study, we present a simple zero-equation (algebraic) turbulence closure scheme as well as the standard k-Ïμ model for stably stratified wall-bounded flows. We do this by proposing a parameterization for the turbulent Prandtl number (Prt) for stably stratified flows under the influence of a smooth solid wall. The turbulent Prandtl number is the linking bridge between the turbulent momentum and scalar fluxes in the context of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations. Therefore, it is important to use appropriate parameterizations for Prt in order to define the right level of momentum and scalar mixing in stably stratified flows. To date, most of the widely used parameterizations for Prt in stably stratified flows are based on data obtained from homogeneous shear flows experiments and/or direct numerical simulations (i.e., statistics are invariant under translations) and are usually formulated as functions of the gradient Richardson number (Rig). The effect of the wall boundary is completely neglected. We introduce a modified parameterization for Prt that takes into account the inhomogeneity caused by the wall coupled with the effects of density stratification. We evaluate the performance of the modified Prt by using a zero-equation turbulence model for the turbulent viscosity that was proposed by Munk and Anderson (1948) as well as the standard k-Ïμ model to simulate a one-dimensional stably stratified channel flow. Comparison of the one-dimensional simulation results with direct numerical simulation (DNS) of stably stratified channel flow results show remarkable agreement. Key Points A new formulation for the turbulent Prandtl number is proposed Performance of the proposed Prt is evaluated to highlight its usefulness Our findings will be useful for modeling geophysical flows © 2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Publication Status

Free Access

Comments

National Science Foundation, Grant N00014 12 1 0938

Keywords and Phrases

buoyancy; stable stratification; Turbulence; wall-bounded flows

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2169-9291

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Learned Society, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2014

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