AN ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT TURBULENCE MODELS ON A CFD SIMULATION OF AIR FLOW PAST A S814 AIRFOIL

Turbulence modeling is a crucial part of any CFD simulation, the selection of an appropriate method allows for precise validation and reliable results. This paper aims to investigate which turbulence model is best suitable for a simulation over a S814 airfoil profile at different angles of attack using CFD software ANSYS-Fluent. Literature usually recommends two models for this kind of simulation: κ – ω Shear Stress Transport and Spalart-Allmaras. Both models strength and weakness are tested by performing simulations at the angles of attack: 0o, 5o, 10o, 15o, and 20o. Results were validated with experiments reported in literature and showed that Spalart-Allmaras performed better for lower angles of attack, whereas κ – ω Shear Stress Transport presented the best results at the higher angles of attack.