Minimum-dissipation sub-grid models represent simple alternatives to the Smagorinsky-type approaches to the implementation of sub-grid scales’ (SGS) effects in the large-eddy simulation (LES) approach. Recently, the anisotropic minimum-dissipation (AMD) model has been introduced, which is a static type of eddy-viscosity SGS model and is a new addition to this family. This model is easy to implement; furthermore, not only can it consider the effect of various directions in computing sub-grid stress, it can also operate transitional flows from laminar to turbulent. For the first time, we implemented AMD in the open source package OpenFOAM. Foremost, we verified the OpenFOAM implementation of the AMD model for the prediction of isotropic decaying turbulence, a temporal mixing layer and an internal channel flow. To achieve this, decaying turbulence was considered for the isotropic turbulence produced by a grid with a mesh size of 5.08×10–2 m in a flow of mean velocity of 10 m/s. The temporal mixing layer was simulated at a Reynolds number based on half the initial vorticity thickness of 105. Channel flow was investigated at the three frictional Reynolds numbers of 180, 395 and 590. The verification results revealed that the implemented AMD model in OpenFOAM offered satisfactory accuracy to capture decaying turbulence and temporal mixing layer and calculate boundary layer velocity profiles and first and second-order turbulent parameters in the channel flow on anisotropic grids. Following this, for the first time, we evaluated AMD’s performance in predicting external non-cavitating and cavitating flows over a 3D sphere. Non-cavitating and cavitating flow over the sphere were considered at Re = 2×104 and Re = 1.5×106, respectively. The AMD results were then compared with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data and the numerical results obtained from the established SGS models such as dynamic Smagorinsky (DS), one equation eddy viscosity model (OEEVM), detached eddy simulation (DES), and delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES), where applicable. In treating sphere flow, in spite of the use of a coarse grid rather than the alternative SGS models, the AMD model predicted accurate results for pressure coefficient, shear stress, and separation point location over the sphere as well as the velocity profile in the wake region. It was detected that the simulation time of the AMD model was lower than that of DS in all the considered test cases by approximately 10-16%.

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