Modified Menter Model in Comparison with Recently Developed Single-Equation Turbulence Closures

Abstract

Five recently developed one-equation turbulence models are assessed against experiments for several flows. These models are the Menter model, modified Menter model, Wu–Nagano model, Fares–Schröder model, and Goldberg model. All models except the latter, which was constructed using physical arguments in boundary layers, were developed using Menter’s methodology of transforming two-equation turbulence models to one-equation models using Bradshaw’s correlation. The destruction term of the modified Menter model is modified and tested for all considered test cases. This modification renders the model Galilean-invariant and independent of the freestream value of the turbulent intensity. The Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model is also investigated for comparison with the five aforementioned models. Calculations are presented for internal and external flowfields, including zero-pressuregradient flow over a flat plate, separation and reattachment flows in a backward-facing step, shock/boundary-layer interaction, and adverse-pressure-gradient flows over airfoils at various angles of attack. Although the modified Menter model demonstrates improved predictive capabilities in the majority of the considered cases, its contribution is relatively moderate when compared with existing models.