Prediction of the Flow Around an Airfoil Using a Reynolds Stress Transport Model

Abstract

A second-moment Reynolds Stress Transport Model (RSTM) is used in the present work for computing the flow around a two-dimensional airfoil. An incompressible SIMPLEC code is used, employing a non-staggered grid arrangement. A third-order QUICK scheme is used for the momentum equations, and a second-order, bounded MUSCL scheme is used for the turbulent quantities. As the RSTM is valid only for fully turbulent flow, an eddy viscosity, one-equation model is used near the wall. The two models are matched along a preselected grid line in the fully turbulent region. Detailed comparisons between calculations and experiments are presented for an angle of attack of α = 13.3 deg. The RSTM predictions agree well with the experiments, and approaching stall is predicted for α = 17 deg, which agrees well with experimental data. The results obtained with a two-layer κ – ∈ model show poor agreement with experimental data; the velocity profiles on the suction side of the airfoil show no tendency of separation, and no tendency of stall is predicted.