Comparative study of implicit and subgrid-scale model large-eddy simulation techniques for low-Reynolds number airfoil applications

A computational study of a high-fidelity, implicit large-eddy simulation (ILES) technique with and without the use of the dynamic Smagorinsky subgrid-scale (SGS) model is conducted to examine the contributions of the SGS model on solutions of transitional flow over the SD7003 airfoil section. ILES without an SGS model has been shown in the past to produce comparable and sometimes favorable results to traditional SGS-based large-eddy simulation (LES) when applied to canonical turbulent flows. This paper evaluates the necessity of the SGS model for low-Reynolds number airfoil applications to affirm the use of ILES without SGS-modeling for a broader class of problems such as those pertaining to micro air vehicles and low-pressure turbines. It is determined that the addition of the dynamic Smagorinsky model does not significantly affect the time-mean flow or statistical quantities measured around the airfoil section for the spatial resolutions and Reynolds numbers examined in this study. Additionally, the robustness and reduced computational cost of ILES without the SGS model demonstrates the attractiveness of ILES as an alternative to traditional LES. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.