Numerical Investigation of Flow Past a Backward-Facing Step Using a Multi-Scale Turbulence Model

Abstract

The flow past a backward-facing step was simulated using both the multiscale turbulence model based on the variable interval time average method and the standard k-ε model based on the Reynolds average method. The numerical method used in this simulation is an unstructured staggered mesh scheme. The capability of the multi-scale model to simulate flow past a backward-facing step has been validated. Both pressure coefficient and mean velocity profiles downstream are in agreement with experiments. Moreover, the results predicted by the multi-scale model are better than that predicted by the standard k-ε model. The computational results show that the multiscale turbulence model can successfully simulate this type of separated flow.