Large-eddy simulation using a discontinuous Galerkin spectral element method

In this paper we discuss the development of a robust, high-order discontinuous Galerkin (DG) spectral element method for large-eddy simulation (LES) of compressible flows. The method secures geometrical flexibility through a fully unstructured grid (triangles in 2D and tetrahedral elements in 3D), allows for arbitrary order of accuracy and has excellent stability properties. An element based filtering technique is used in conjunction with the dynamic procedure to model the effect of sub-grid scales. We aim to use the LES methodology for large-scale simulation in geometrically complex dump combustors. As a first step towards these simulations, we perform validation simulations of compressible, turbulent flow in a plane channel with isothermal walls.