Validation of helicity-corrected Spalart-Allmaras model for corner separation prediction in incompressible flow with OpenFOAM

Steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computations save significant computational resources compared to unsteady RANS and large eddy simulation (LES). However, the ability of most RANS models to accurately predict flow separation in compressor/fan blade rows is limited. Recent research focused on reducing the computational cost of predicting compressor/fan stall points with steady computations has shown that the helicity-corrected Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model is able to avoid over-predicting corner separations and thus lead to converged RANS up to the actual stall point. To date, this model has mostly been implemented in in-house codes or in commercial codes as a user add-on, where the source code is not available. In a recent paper, the authors implemented the helicity-corrected SA model in OpenFOAM, an open-source CFD package. In this paper, the differences in the flow field for RANS solutions with the original SA model, the helicity-corrected SA model, and Menter’s shear stress transport (SST) model are highlighted for a linear cascade with incompressible flow. A NACA 65-1810 cascade is used, and computational results are compared to experimental data.