Measurements and predictions of turbulent natural convection adjacent to backward-facing step

Measurements and predictions of turbulent natural convection adjacent to a two-dimensional, vertical backward-facing step in airflow are reported. The upstream and downstream waifs of the backward-facing step geometry were ma intained at a constant and uniform temperature, while the backward-facing s tep was kept adiabatic. The experiment was carried out for a backward-facin g step height of 22 mm and a temperature difference, between the heated wal ls and the mainstream, of 30 degreesC. Measurements and predictions of the mean velocities and temperature distributions, along with the distributions of turbulent intensities, turbulent heat fluxes, and Reynolds stress compo nents, are presented at various axial locations downstream of the backward- facing step. A reasonable agreement appears to exist between the measured a nd the predicted mean quantities, but discrepancies still exist between the measured and the predicted turbulence quantities.