Realizability-preserving time-stepping for the differential Reynolds stress turbulence models

In the context of incompressible turbulence modelling, differential Reynolds stress models allow a better representation of turbulence anisotropy than classical linear eddy viscosity models and are less expensive than large eddy simulations in terms of computational cost. They rely on a modelled transport equation for the Reynolds stress tensor, which is by definition a covariance tensor and must remain symmetric positive semi-definite. However, the solution of the modelled and discretized transport equation may not preserve these mathematical properties. In the present article, a methodology to time-split Reynolds stress R__ terms in the transport equation is proposed using a decomposition theorem which proves the realizability of R__ provided realizable initial conditions. Realizability-preserving time-steppings are designed for several differential Reynolds stress models. The numerical schemes are presented in a finite volume context but may be used with others space discretization schemes. The realizability, precision and robustness of the numerical scheme is verified through the anisotropy time evolution in homogeneous shear-flow simulations with various initial conditions. •Finite volume three-dimensional Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes modelling of turbulent flows.•Time stepping decomposition of differential Reynolds stress models to enforce realizability.•Numerical verification in case of homogeneous shear flows with various initial conditions.