Consistency, verification, and validation of turbulence models for Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes applications

In current practice, it is often difficult to draw firm conclusions about turbulence model accuracy when performing multi-code computational fluid dynamics studies ostensibly using the same model because of inconsistencies in model formulation or implementation in different codes. This article describes an effort to improve the consistency, verification, and validation of turbulence models within the aerospace community through a website database of verification and validation cases. Some of the variants of two widely used turbulence models are described, and two independent computer codes (one structured and one unstructured) are used in conjunction with two specific versions of these models to demonstrate consistency with grid refinement for several representative problems. Naming conventions, implementation consistency, and thorough grid resolution studies are key factors necessary for success.