Abstract: The study aims to investigate the scale effects arising from the use of a two equation turbulence model to simulate Froude scaled models.
In physical modeling of hydraulic structures, scale effects arise from the use of the Froude scaling criterion to establish similarity between the scale model and its prototype. In numerical modeling, scale effects may arise due to the assumptions made while formulating the model. It is imperative to estimate the scale effects associated with numerical testing of Froude scaled models using the k-epsilon realisable turbulence because of its frequent use in engineering applications in this era of ‘hybrid’ modeling.
Force coefficients and non-dimensional vortex shedding frequency have been calculated on four Froude scaled models. From comparison with physical experimental results, it is seen that the forces acting on the device can be simulated with reasonable accuracy depending on the choice of length and velocity scale associated with the model.
Equations that estimate the errors resulting from the use of the turbulence model are presented.
