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Numerical simulation of turbulent flow over a backward facing step using partially averaged Navier-Stokes method

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Abstract

This paper presents some key features of partially averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) method in the simulation of turbulent flow over a backward facing step at Reh = 5100. Both fixed and spatially variable values for the unresolved-to-total ratio of kinetic energy (fk) are adopted in the present PANS simulations. Different model parameters relevant to PANS have been assessed. Detached eddy simulation (DES) is also adopted and the results from DES are compared in detail with PANS and the available experimental data. Variable fk PANS gives overall acceptable predictions but it is slightly less accurate than DES. The defects of PANS simulation with fixed fk throughout the entire computational domain are highlighted in this investigation. An improved step is to introduce variable fk to ensure the near-wall Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solution. This paper provides encouraging results for PANS simulations of this wall-bounded flow involving separation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200293, China

    Dahai Luo

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  1. Dahai Luo
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Correspondence to Dahai Luo.

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Recommended by Associate Editor Jungil Lee

Dahai Luo is currently an Assistant Professor at University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. He received his Ph.D. in Fluid Mechanics from Beihang University, China, in 2015. His research interests include turbulence simulation, flow control and airfoil optimization.

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Luo, D. Numerical simulation of turbulent flow over a backward facing step using partially averaged Navier-Stokes method. J Mech Sci Technol 33, 2137–2148 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0416-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-0416-9

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