ALGEBRAIC TURBULENCE MODELING FOR UNSTRUCTURED AND ADAPTIVE MESHES

An algebraic turbulence model, based on the Baldwin-Lomax model, has been implemented for use on unstructured grids. The implementation is based on the use of local background turbulence meshes. At each time step, flow variables are interpolated from the unstructured mesh onto the background structured meshes, the turbulence model is executed on these meshes, and the resulting eddy viscosity values are interpolated back to the unstructured mesh. Modifications to the algebraic model were required to enable the treatment of more complicated flows, such as confluent boundary layers and wakes. The model is used in conjunction with an efficient unstructured multigrid finite-element Navier-Stokes solver, in order to compute compressible turbulent flows on fully unstructured meshes. Solutions about single and multiple element airfoils are obtained and compared with experimental data.