Modeling Reynolds-number effects in wall-bounded turbulent flows

Recent experimental and direct numerical simulation data of two-dimensional, isothermal wall-bounded incompressible turbulent flows indicate that Reynolds-number effects are not only present in the outer layer but are also quite noticeable in the inner layer. The effects are most apparent when the turbulence statistics are plotted in terms of inner variables. With recent advances made in Reynolds-stress and near-wall modeling, a near-wall Reynolds-stress closure based on a recently proposed quasi-linear model for the pressure strain tensor is used to analyze wall-bounded flows over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The Reynolds number varies from a low of 180, based on the friction velocity and pipe radius/channel half-width, to 15406, based on momentum thickness and free stream velocity. In all the flow cases examined, the model replicates the turbulence statistics, including the Reynolds-number effects observed in the inner and outer layers, quite well. Furthermore, the model reproduces the correlation proposed for the location of the peak shear stress and an appropriately defined Reynolds number, and the variations of the near-wall asymptotes with Reynolds numbers. It is conjectured that the ability of the model to replicate the asymptotic behavior of the near-wall flow is most responsible for the correct prediction of the Reynolds-number effects.