PERSPECTIVE - SELECTED BENCHMARKS FROM COMMERCIAL CFD CODES

This paper summarizes the results of a series of five benchmark simula tions which were completed using commercial Computational Fluid Dynami cs (CFD) codes. These simulations were performed by the vendors themse lves, and then reported by them in ASME's CFD Triathlon Forum and CFD Biathlon Forum. The first group of benchmarks consisted of three lamin ar flow problems. These were the steady, two-dimensional flow over a b ackward-facing step, the low Reynolds number flow around a circular cy linder, and the unsteady three-dimensional flow in a shear-driven cubi cal cavity. The second group of benchmarks consisted of two turbulent flow problems, These were the two-dimensional flow around a square cyl inder with periodic separated flow phenomena, and the steady, three-di mensional flow in a 180-degree square bend. All simulation results wer e evaluated against existing experimental data and thereby satisfied i tem 10 of the Journal's policy statement for numerical accuracy. The o bjective of this exercise was to provide the engineering and scientifi c community with a common reference point for the evaluation of commer cial CFD codes.