Evaluation of turbulence models in rough wall-boundary layers for hydroelectric applications

Abstract

The accuracy of turbulence models for the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in rough-wall flows is evaluated using data from large-eddy simulations (LES) of boundary layers with favourable and adverse pressure gradients. Some features of the flow (such as flow reversal in the roughness sublayer) cannot be captured accurately by any model, due to the fundamental model formulation. In mild pressure gradients most RANS models are sufficiently accurate for engineering applications, but if strong favourable or adverse pressure gradients are applied (especially those leading to separation) the model performance rapidly degrades.