Assessment of Error Estimators for Grid Adaptation in Large Eddy Simulation

Abstract

Mesh adaptation relies on an error estimation process. Error estimators should properly take into consideration the contribution from both numerical and modeling related errors. Numerical dissipation plays an important contribution to the effective modeled turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and must be accounted for. In the present paper, a novel approach is proposed for the estimation of numerical TKE. Several error estimators for LES are implemented and assessed for grid adaptation. The validation of the periodic hill test case was carried out for the coarse, the fine and the adapted grids. Numerical results are validated through a comparison against reference LES and experimental data. We employ and demonstrate the use of various error estimators for mesh adaptation.