The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations were solved along with three turbulence models, namely κ-ε, κ-ω, and Reynolds stress models (RSM), to study the fully developed turbulent flows in circular pipes roughened by repeated square ribs. The spacing between the ribs was varied to form three representative types of surface roughness; d–type, intermediate, and k–type. Solutions of these flows at two Reynolds numbers were obtained using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent. The numerical results were validated against experimental measurements and other numerical data published in literature. Extensive investigation of effects of rib spacing and Reynolds number on the pressure and friction resistance, flow and turbulence distribution was presented. The performance of three turbulence models was also compared and discussed.

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