Numerical study of turbulent wake flow behind a three-dimensional steep hill

A numerical investigation on the turbulent flows over a three-dimensional steep hill isrnpresented. The numerical model developed for the present work is based on the finite volume method andrnthe SIMPLE algorithm with a non-staggered grid system. Standard <i>k</i>-<i>&#949;</i> model and Shih&#39;s non-linear model are tested for the validation of the prediction accuracy in the 3D separated flow. Comparisons of the mean velocity and turbulence profiles between the numerical predictions and the measurements show good agreement. The Shih&#39;s non-linear model is found to predict mean flow and turbulence better than the Standard <i>k</i>-<i>&#949;</i>. Flow patterns have also been examined to explain the difference in the cavity zone between 2D and 3D hills.