RIBLET FLOW CALCULATION WITH A LOW-REYNOLDS-NUMBER KAPPA-EPSILON MODEL

A low Reynolds number k - epsilon model has been used to calculate the turbulent boundary layer over riblets. Calculated mean velocity, Reynolds shear stress and kinetic energy distributions are generally in good agreement with available experimental data. The comparison between these distributions and those in a corner flow points to a significant difference between the two flows and the unlikelihood of counter-rotating vortices within the riblet grooves. One shortcoming of the present k - epsilon model is the relatively slow return to a two-dimensional turbulence state as the distance from the riblet surface increases.