[siw]

Hi,

When using the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model in a RANS simulation the User Guide (Fluent version 14.5 User Guide section 6.3.2.1.1) says that the turbulent viscosity or turbulent viscosity ratio should be chosen.

I'm conducting a simulation of the experimental flow over a wall-mounted series of bodies as reported in the paper by Martinuzzi and Havel (ref 1). In this paper it gives the following information with regards to the inlet turbulence data: 1) the measured turbulence level was less than 1.5% and 2) the freestream flow was uniform within 0.5%.

Given that data what's the best way to set up the inlet turbulence conditions in Fluent? Could a turbulent viscosity or turbulent viscosity ratio be estimated from the above data? Or should the intensity (=1.5%) and a turbulent length scale (equal to the size of the body since eddies will not be larger than that) be used?

Thanks.

Reference 1. Martinuzzi, R. J. and Havel, B. (2000), Turbulent Flow Around Two Interfering Surface-Mounted Cubic Obstacles in Tandem Arrangement, J. of Fluids Eng., Vol. 122, p. 24-31.