Direct and large-eddy simulations of three-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes turbulence

Abstract

This paper reports results from the numerical implementation and testing of the compressible large-eddy simulation (LES) model described by Speziale et al. [Phys. Fluids 31, 940 (1988)] and Erlebacher et al. (to appear in J. Fluid Mech.). Relevant quantities from 323 ‘‘coarse grid’’ LES solutions are compared with results generated from 963 direct numerical simulations (DNS) of three-dimensional compressible turbulence. It is found that the 323 LES results overall agree well with their 963 DNS counterparts. Moreover, the new DNS results confirm several recent conclusions about compressible turbulence that have been based primarily on two-dimensional simulations.