Boundary treatment algorithms for meshfree RANS turbulence modeling

In this paper, we propose improved wall-treatment strategies for meshfree methods applied to turbulent flows. The goal is to enhance wall-function handling in simulations of high-Reynolds-number turbulent flows and to better understand the performance of first-order turbulence models within these frameworks. While wall-function techniques are well established for mesh-based methods, their implementation in meshfree methods faces unique challenges. The main difficulties arise from scattered point distributions and dynamic point movement in Lagrangian frameworks. To address these issues, we evaluate a baseline closest-neighbor approach alongside two novel techniques: the nearest-band neighbor (NBN) method and the shifted boundary (SB) method. The NBN method enforces wall functions on a band of interior points, helping to maintain uniform point selection. On the other hand, the SB method virtually moves boundary points to a fixed wall-normal distance, eliminating the spatial noise associated with point movement. We evaluate these methods using first-order turbulence closures: Spalart–Allmaras, k−ɛ, and k−ω turbulence models. These methods are numerically validated on 1D Couette flow, a turbulent flat plate, and a 3D NACA 0012 airfoil at high Reynolds numbers. Results demonstrate that both novel methods significantly outperform the standard closest-neighbor approach on canonical flat geometries. For flat plates, the SB method provides superior stability and perfectly smooth y+ distributions. However, when applied to the complex, curved NACA 0012 profile, the NBN method proves to be significantly more robust and geometrically flexible, accurately predicting skin friction and pressure coefficients. In contrast, the SB method exhibits setbacks in numerical diffusion and premature flow separation on curved geometries. This is due to uncorrected normal-vector shifting and adverse pressure gradients. Based on these results, the NBN method provides a robust approach for simulating attached, high-Reynolds-number turbulent flows over zero-pressure-gradient and mild-curvature geometries within a meshfree framework. Extending the SB method to curved geometries and testing on flows with strong adverse pressure gradients or boundary layer separation remains an open task for future work.