The paper presents a numerical investigation of buffet flows using various
turbulence models, including linear and non-linear low-Re eddy-viscosity mo
dels (EVM). The accuracy of the models is assessed against experimental dat
a for transonic flows around the NACA-0012 aerofoil. The study shows that n
on-linear two-equation models in conjunction with functional c(mu) coemcien
t for the calculation of the eddy-viscosity (henceforth labelled NL-c(mu)),
provide satisfactory results for transonic buffet nows. The computations a
lso reveal that the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model provides comparable
results to the NL-c(mu), models, while larger inaccuracies are introduced
by linear and non-linear models based on constant c(mu) coemcient. Moreover
, the buffet onset boundaries are similarly predicted by the one-equation a
nd NL-c(mu) models. The study has been performed using a second-order time
accurate implicit-unfactored method which solves in a coupled fashion the N
avier-Stokes and turbulence transport equations. The spatial discretisation
of the equations is obtained by a Riemann solver in combination with a thi
rd-order upwind scheme. (C) 2000 Begell House Inc. Published by Elsevier Sc
ience Inc. All rights reserved.