Effect of turbulence models on the submerged hydraulic jump simulation

Abstract

This study presents a numerical investigation and prediction of the flow field in threedimensional submerged hydraulic jumps. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is used to simulate the free surface. The turbulent structure is simulated by using different turbulence models, such as the standard k–e model, RNG k–e model, realizable k–e model, and Reynolds-stress model (RSM) closure schemes. The capabilities of the turbulence models are investigated with the standard wall functions and enhanced wall treatment methods. A comparison between the numerical and experimental results shows that the numerical model is adequate for predicting the flow pattern and free surface of submerged hydraulic jumps. The RNG k–e turbulence model with the enhanced wall treatment method ensures the highest accuracy in the water surface simulation. Near the channel bed of a fully developed region, the RSM model with the enhanced wall treatment method shows better agreement with the experimental longitudinal velocity than the other turbulence models. The standard k–e model predicts the longitudinal velocity more accurately than the RNG and realizable k–e models.