Validation of the RANS-simulation of laminar separation bubbles on airfoils☆

This paper presents RANS simulations of the low-Reynolds-number flow past an SD7003 airfoil at Re = 6 × 10 4 , where transition takes place across a laminar separation bubble. The transition prediction procedure using an approximate envelope method as well as a linear stability solver is discussed. The numerical results are validated against PIV- and force measurements obtained in several wind- and watertunnels and are also compared to XFOIL results. Good agreement is found within the operational range of the airfoil.