Title: Numerical prediction of wall-bounded flows with low-Reynolds k − ε turbulence models

Authors: Y. Bentaleb, E. Schall, T. Kousksou

Addresses: LaTEP, University of Pau, 1, avenue de l'Universite 64000 Pau, France. ' LaTEP-CONCHA, University of Pau, 1, avenue de l'Universite 64000 Pau, France. ' LaTEP, University of Pau, 1, avenue de l'Universite 64000 Pau, France

Abstract: In this paper, we present a numerical model for the simulation of turbulent flows. The numerics rely on a three-dimensional upwind compressible solver which applies to tetrahedrisations. The accuracy in boundary layers is increased by a new type of tetrahedrisation. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are solved by using a mixed finite element-volume method for spatial discretisation. The linear low-Reynolds turbulence models of Goldberg et al., and a nonlinear extension, are implemented with this numerical technique. The computational results of both turbulent channel flow and a backward-facing step flow are compared to experimental data.

Keywords: simulation; turbulent flows; linear turbulence models; nonlinear turbulence models; low Reynolds number modelling; mixed finite element-volume method; finite element method; FEM; finite volume method; FVM; attached boundary layers; separated flow; spatial discretisation; turbulent channel flow; backward-facing step flow.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2009.023353

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2009 Vol.9 No.2, pp.96 - 108

Published online: 19 Feb 2009 *

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