Assessment of explicit algebraic Reynolds-stress turbulence models in aerodynamic computations

In the aerodynamic industrial design process, the use of numerical simulation, including viscous effects, is of ever increasing importance. As simple, standard Boussinesq-viscosity turbulence models have proven insufficient to correctly predict complex flow situations, attention is drawn to more reliable approaches towards the modelling of turbulence. This work aims at assessing the potential of Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Models (EARSM) for application-oriented aerodynamic computations. To this end, two different EARSM are investigated on a variety of configurations in sub- and transonic steady flow, ranging from 2D aerofoils to 3D wing/body-configurations. Is is demonstrated that an increased over-all simulation quality is achieved. Thus, while their overhead with respect to standard linear approaches remains limited, EARSM constitute a valuable extension to the model range available to the aerodynamic design engineer.