Numerical simulation of flow over a passive disturbance and backward-facing step

Abstract

Abstract This research aimed to simulate the flow past a rib and backward-facing step (BFS). The Reynolds and sub-grid-scale (SGS) stresses were modelled. These models consisted of k–ɛ, Smagorinksy-Lilly, SGS turbulence kinetic energy (kSGS ), dynamic SGS and wall-adapting local eddy-viscosity (WALE) which implemented in Open FOAM. The simulation was carried out to compare against the experiment in literatures which gave a high Reynolds number of 15,500. The simulation results showed that the k–ɛ model provided the best prediction of the turbulent flow over a passive disturbance and BFS. The absence of rib was carried out to compare with the presence of the rib. It was found that the rib positions had affected to flow reattachment behind the BFS.