Height-dependence of spatio-temporal spectra of wall-bounded turbulence - LES results and model predictions

Wilczek, M.; Stevens, R.J.A.M.; Meneveau, C.

doi:10.1080/14685248.2015.1047497

Publication 35 · Wall-bounded and rotating shear turbulence

Height-dependence of spatio-temporal spectra of wall-bounded turbulence - LES results and model predictions

M. Wilczek, R.J.A.M. Stevens, C. Meneveau, J. Turbulence 16, 937-949 (2015).

Main finding

Random sweeping is a useful leading-order spectral representation here; its assumptions and LES-resolution dependence prevent treating it as a complete or uniquely validated dynamical model.

Wavenumber-frequency spectra of wall turbulence at five heights — **How to read the figure.** Streamwise wavenumber-frequency spectra from large-eddy simulation of a neutral boundary layer, at five heights through the logarithmic layer. The ridge that marks advected structures broadens with height as the range of sweeping velocities widens. Figure 3 gives the model's version of the same five planes; the claim that random sweeping is a useful leading-order description rests on the two together, and neither figure carries it alone. Open the full-resolution figure. Figure 1. M. Wilczek et al. (2015). No separate licence is stated here; consult the original publication and credited source before reuse.

Why this matters

Large energy-containing eddies sweep smaller eddies, broadening their frequency distribution in a height-dependent manner.

Research context

The analysis extends the full wavenumber–frequency model from one logarithmic-layer height to five heights and a factor-of-two grid comparison using the same rough-wall LES family. Wind-farm use is proposed as an application, not demonstrated by the simulations in this paper.

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