Calculation of swirling jets with a Reynolds stress closure

Abstract

The transport equations for the Reynolds stresses are closed by modeling the turbulence and mean‐strain parts of the pressure‐strain‐rate correlation. The model constants are determined from simple relationships deduced from measurements in rectilinear and longitudinally curved shear flows. It is found that the effects of complex strain fields are more correctly predicted when the influence of the mean‐strain part is reduced from levels indicated by rapid distortion theory, and the turbulence part is adjusted to conform approximately with the measured rates of return to isotropy. The case of the swirling jet is used to illustrate the improved performance of the model.