Numerical Benchmark Of Friction Factor In Pipes With Repeated-Rib Roughness

Numerical predictions using a computational fluid dynamics approach with popular turbulence models are benchmarked against a semi-empirical correlation for the friction in a circular channel with repeated-rib roughness to demonstrate some shortcomings of the models used. Numerical predictions varied widely depending on the turbulence modelling approach used. The need for a compatible experimental dataset to accompany numerical simulation is discussed. Data reported includes numerical predictions of the friction factor and friction similarity parameter for each case. The Reynolds Stress Model most accurately reproduced the friction factors from the correlation, to within 10%