Turbulent boundary layers. I: Fundamentals (Q4215077)

We consider the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations as the basis for derivation of the equations for turbulent boundary layers at high Reynolds numbers. For an asymptotically correct derivation, we take into account that the turbulent boundary layer consists of two layers, the wall layer adjacent to the wall, where vicosity effects are important, and the fully turbulent layer, where viscosity effects are negligible. The flow in each of these two layers is governed by a different system of equations, which -- to the leading order -- are again independent of the Reynolds number, as it is shown at first. Since the solution for the wall layer is universal, only the flow in the fully turbulent layer has to be calculated. This concept is called the method of wall functions. It will be shown that this method is also applicable to flows with separation and with heat transfer. The layer structure leads to conditions which the model equations of the turbulence have to satisfy in order to be asymptotically correct. To demonstrate that the asymptotic methods can also be applied to flows with massive separation, we consider the automobile aerodynamics as a typical example. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0896.00016].