Large Eddy Simulation

Over a decade ago, the author (Ferziger, 1983) wrote a review of the then state-of-the-art in direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES). Shortly thereafter, a second review was written by Rogallo and Moin (1984). In those relatively early days of turbulent flow simulation, it was possible to write comprehensive reviews of what had been accomplished. Since then, the widespread availability of supercomputers has led to an explosion in this field so, although the subject is undoubtedly overdue for another review, it is not clear that the task can be accomplished in anything less than a monograph. The author therefore apologizes in advance for omissions (there must be many) and for any bias toward the accomplishments of people on the west coast of North America. In the earlier review, the author listed six approaches to the prediction of turbulent flow behavior. The list included: correlations, integral methods, single-point Reynolds-averaged closures, two-point closures, large eddy simulation and direct numerical simulation. Even then the distinction between these methods was not always clear; if anything, it is less clear today. It was possible in the earlier review to give a relatively complete overview of what had been accomplished with simulation methods. Since then, simulation techniques have been applied to an ever expanding range of flows so a thorough review of simulation results is no longer possible in the space available here. Simulation techniques have become well established as a means of studying turbulent flows and the results of simulations are best presented in combination with experimental data for the same flow. There is also a danger that the success of simulation methods will lead to attempts to apply them too soon to flows which the models and techniques are not ready to handle. To some extent, this is already happening. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is a method in which all of the scales of motion of a turbulent flow are computed. A DNS must include everything from the large energy-containing or integral scales to the dissipative scales; the latter is usually taken to be the viscous or Kolmogoroff scales.