Evaluation of turbulence closure models under spilling and plunging breakers in the surf zone

• Published in: Coastal engineering (Amsterdam) 2016-08, Vol.114, p.177-193
• Main Authors: Brown, S.A., Greaves, D.M., Magar, V., Conley, D.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Closures; Computational fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Mathematical models; OpenFOAM; Plunging breakers; Spilling; Spilling breakers; Surf; Surf zone; Turbulence; Turbulence models; Turbulent flow
• ISSN: 0378-3839; 1872-7379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2016.04.002

Turbulence closure models are evaluated for application to spilling and plunging breakers in the surf zone using open source computational fluid dynamics software. A new library of turbulence models for application to multiphase flows has been developed and is assessed for numerical efficiency and accuracy by comparing against existing laboratory data for surface elevation, velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles. Out of the models considered, it was found that, overall, the best model is the nonlinear k-ϵ model. The model is also shown to exhibit different turbulent characteristics between the different breaker types, consistent with experimental data. •Five turbulence models are evaluated using the open source CFD software, OpenFOAM.•The numerical model is run for spilling and plunging breakers on a sloping beach.•Predictions of surface elevation, velocity and TKE are compared to laboratory data.•A skill score is applied to determine the most accurate turbulence model.•The chosen model exhibits many turbulent qualities observed in the laboratory.