A Correlation-Based Transition Model Using Local Variables—Part I: Model Formulation

Abstract A new correlation-based transition model has been developed, which is based strictly on local variables. As a result, the transition model is compatible with modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches, such as unstructured grids and massive parallel execution. The model is based on two transport equations, one for intermittency and one for the transition onset criteria in terms of momentum thickness Reynolds number. The proposed transport equations do not attempt to model the physics of the transition process (unlike, e.g., turbulence models) but form a framework for the implementation of correlation-based models into general-purpose CFD methods. Part I (this part) of this paper gives a…