Transition: which function to identify it?
 

Hi
I'm testing the transition model gammaRetheta in star-ccm+.
I would know how I can identify the point at which transition starts. I could use:
-a plot of skin friction coefficient
-a plot of tubolence intensity
-a plot of eddy viscosity
-other (tell me :D)

What do you think it's the best choice?
The main problem is that using skin friction coefficient the transition starting point is not very evident; instaed if I use a plot with intensity I get a transition point which is different from the one I get using a plot with eddy viscosity!

Thanks!

Gamma is intermittency factor varying from 0 to 1, ie fully laminar to turbulent condition. So, if the option is available, you cans see at what point your gamma starts to increase in the 'boundary layer', denoting start of transition. I would use this rather than turbulent viscosity. Note that in gamma Re_theta model (of Menter) gamma can be greater than 1 for separated flow transition.

I want to make it clear first that I'm studying now turbulence models and transition models so I'm not so expert...so I might commit mistakes...
;)
I can't visualize gamma but I can visualise directly Intermittency...is the same thing? It's values is 0.02 on the laminar part and after transition It growes up to 0.035...It might be correct?
Thanks for all your advices!
Sara

Hi Sara, I've worked with transition modeling for my research, and I still wouldn't call myself an expert, so don't worry ;)

Yes, gamma is intermittency. Ideally in laminar flow it should be zero, but it is possible for some models to have non-zero values either due to stability requirement or because they include a model for laminar fluctuation. In your fully turbulent region intermittency should be 1 or thereabout according to traditional definition. I suggest you read the paper by Menter, "A correlation-based transition model using local variables-Part I: Model Formulation". Also for general transition understanding the paper by Mayle is excellent, "The role of laminar-turbulent transition in gas turbine engines".

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all!
This paper"A correlation-based transition model using local variables-Part I: Model Formulation" is here on my desptop! :D
And now I'm going to search the other one! ;)