A comparison of some zero equation and half equation turbulence models for hypersonic flow

Abstract

The objective of the present research is to validate several zero equation -algebraic- and half equation turbulence models on prediction of the hypersonic flow properties. The computations are performed by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the turbulent viscous terms closed by 6 alternative eddy-viscosity models due to Baldwin and Lomax; Launder and Priddin; Granville; Johnson and King; Johnson and Abid and Chima et al. the numerical algorithm used is the DLR computer code CEVCATS. It is based on a finite volume method coupled with a multi-stage Runge-Kutta scheme. Solutions are obtained for the body flap of the reentry vehicle HERMES at conditions corresponding to cold wind tunnel -M*&#6110, *&#6130*, *&#6110* - and compared with available experimental data. No attempts is done to model transition.Instead off, turbulent flow is enforced at the point where a laminar flow solution begins to diverge from the experimental data.