Prediction of Boundary Layer Transition at High Freestream Turbulence Conditions, Using a Physical Model

A physical model, based on modeling of the near wall velocity fluctuations, is used for prediction of transition in an attached boundary layer. The near wall velocity fluctuations are assumed to develop into turbulent spots when their amplitudes, exceed a threshold value. In this work, the relevant physical correlations are developed and incorporated in a conventional boundary layer computer code for prediction of transitional flows. Test cases include transitional flat plate boundary layer flows under zero and non-zero pressure gradients with various freestream turbulence intensities. The results show close agreements with available experimental data.