Numerical simulation of turbulent flow through a straight square duct using a near wall linear k – ε model.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to predict numerically the turbulent flow through a straight square duct using Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) by the widely used k – ε and a near wall turbulence k – ε − fμ models. To handle wall proximity and no-equilibrium effects, the first model is modified by incorporating damping functions fμ via the eddy viscosity relation. The predicted results for the streamwise, spanwise velocities and the Reynolds stress components are compared to those given by the k – ε model and by the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of Gavrilakis (J. Fluid Mech., 1992). In light of these results, the proposed k – ε − fμ model is found to be generally satisfactory for predicting the considered flow.