Validating the k-ω Turbulence Model for 3D Flows within the CFD Solver Eilmer

The computational fluid dynamics solver Eilmer has proven useful to The University of Queensland’s Centre for Hypersonics for its ability to simulate high-speed compressible flows. In Eilmer, turbulence is modelled using Wilcox’s 2006 k-ω model. While the turbulence model implementation has been validated for two-dimensional and axisymmetric flows, validation is required for three-dimensional flows. The present paper describes the progress of the validation of the k-ω turbulence model for two three-dimensional test cases. A case featuring Mach 4.5 air flow over a flat plate produced results that correlated with previous numerical results within 4%. A second case featuring the injection of Mach 1 air into a Mach 4 air cross-flow produced results indicating that the code successfully captured the main flow features.