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Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) Equations

1895
  • Osborne Reynolds
19th-century laboratory with Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations for fluid mechanics analysis.

(generated image for illustration only)

The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are time-averaged equations of motion for turbulent fluid flow. This approach, called Reynolds decomposition, separates flow variables into a mean and a fluctuating component. The averaging process introduces an additional term, the Reynolds stress tensor, which represents the effect of turbulence and must be modeled to achieve closure, making simulations computationally tractable.

The core idea behind RANS is Reynolds decomposition, where an instantaneous quantity is split into its time-averaged and fluctuating parts. For velocity, this is \(u_i(x,t) = \bar{u}_i(x) + u’_i(x,t)\). When this is substituted into the Navier-Stokes equations and the equations are time-averaged, the non-linear convective term generates a new term, \( -\rho \overline{u’_i u’_j} \), known as the Reynolds stress tensor. This tensor represents the net transfer of momentum due to turbulent fluctuations.

The appearance of this unknown tensor leads to the ‘closure problem’ of turbulence: there are more unknowns than equations. To solve the system, the Reynolds stresses must be related to the mean flow quantities through a turbulence model. The most common approach is the Boussinesq hypothesis, which assumes the Reynolds stresses are proportional to the mean strain rate, introducing an ‘eddy viscosity’ or ‘turbulent viscosity’. This is analogous to how molecular viscosity relates stress to strain rate in laminar flow. Turbulence models, such as the popular k-ε (k-epsilon) and k-ω (k-omega) models, are sets of additional transport equations used to compute this eddy viscosity throughout the flow field. For example, the k-ε model solves for the turbulent kinetic energy (k) and its rate of dissipation (ε). RANS provides a good balance of accuracy and computational cost for many engineering applications, as it avoids the prohibitive expense of resolving all turbulent eddies directly.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 2205
– Fluid Mechanics

Type

Abstract System

Disruption

Foundational

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • Navier-Stokes Equations
  • Osborne Reynolds’ experiments on flow transition from laminar to turbulent
  • Statistical mechanics and time-averaging concepts
  • Joseph Boussinesq’s eddy viscosity hypothesis

Applications

  • design of commercial aircraft wings and fuselages
  • analysis of turbomachinery like jets and turbines
  • hydrodynamic design of ship hulls
  • modeling flow in internal combustion engines
  • civil engineering applications like wind loading on buildings
  • sports science for analyzing aerodynamics of athletes and equipment

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: rans, turbulence modeling, reynolds stress, closure problem, k-epsilon, k-omega, cfd, eddy viscosity.

Historical Context

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) Equations

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(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles

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