Benchmark PIV database for the validation of CFD simulations in a transitional cavity flow

We present an experimental benchmark database for the transitional cavity flow. The database is obtained by planar Particle Image Velocimetry measurements at the median plane of the cavity model, for Reynolds numbers between 6300 and 19,000 based on the cavity height. A detailed uncertainty analysis of the experimental results is performed via the correlation statistics method for PIV uncertainty quantification and linear error propagation. The experimental results are compared to two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) numerical simulations with different turbulence models. It is shown that, when the standard k-ω turbulence model is employed, the discrepancy between numerical simulations and experimental results exceeds the uncertainty of the latter. Conversely, RANS simulations with the SST k-ω turbulence model agree well with the experimental data in terms of time-averaged flow properties; however, the turbulent kinetic energy results present significant discrepancies at all considered Reynolds numbers. The data presented in this paper is made available for open-access download via the 4TU.ResearchData repository with DOI: https://do i.org//10.4121/14061233.