LES modeling of converging-diverging turbulent channel flow

The paper presents the results of the application of large-eddy simulation (LES) to turbulent channel flow with a varying pressure gradient obtained by an appropriately specified shape of one of the walls. The main objective of the paper is to assess various subgrid scale (SGS) models implemented in two different codes as well as to assess the sensitivity of the predictive accuracy to grid resolution. Additionally, the role of SGS viscosity, controlled by a constant parameter of the SGS model, was investigated. The simulations were performed with inlet conditions corresponding to two Reynolds numbers: Re-tau = 395 and Re-tau = 617. The consistency and the accuracy of simulations are evaluated using direct numerical simulation (DNS) results. It is demonstrated that all SGS models require a comparable minimum grid refinement in order to capture accurately the recirculation region. Such a test case with a reversal flow, where the turbulence transport is dictated by the dynamics of the large-scale eddies, is well suited to demonstrate the predictive features of the LES technique.