Prediction of Separation-Induced Transition on the SD7003 Airfoil Using Algebraic Transition Triggering

Abstract

The paper investigates the performance of a recently developed laminar separation transition triggering approach (criteria-based) that controls the transitional turbulence source terms. Computational results are compared with available experimental and large-eddy simulation data for low-Reynolds-number quasi-incompressible flow over the SD7003 airfoil. The influence of the angle of attack, the chord-based Reynolds number, and the turbulence intensity at transition onset is satisfactory, provided that the correct transition location is returned by the correlations. The results highlight the importance of correctly modeling the rapid growth of turbulence kinetic energy immediately downstream of transition onset.