Abstract
This study evaluates how Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) models perform in simulating the characteristics of mean three-dimensional perturbed flows in pipes with targeted wall-shapes. The principal objective of this investigation is to evaluate which of the well-established RANS models can best predict the flow response and recovery characteristics in perturbed pipes at moderate and high Reynolds numbers (). First, the flow profiles at various axial locations are compared between simulations and experiments. This is followed by assessing the well-known mean pipeflow scaling relation in the far downstream region, where the flow obtains a fully-developed state. The consistency of computationally predicted results and their similarities with experiments suggested that the Standard model can accurately capture the pipeflow characteristics in response to introduced perturbation with smooth sinusoidal axial variations.