Large eddy simulations of high Reynolds number turbulence based on interscale energy transfer among resolved scales

We show that the task of subgrid scale (SGS) modeling can be split into computing the total SGS energy transfer and determining its distribution among scales of motion. The former can be computed from energy transfers involving only resolved scales, providing a physical constraint on any proposed SGS model. The latter can be prescribed through classical spectral SGS modeling expressions shown in the figure or computed directly from resolved fields, allowing self-contained large eddy simulations.