A priori study for the modelling of velocity–interface correlations in the stratified air–water flows

•We consider a statistical model for turbulence interface interactions.•A priori tests of the model are performed.•To improve accuracy we propose modifications of the model.•Reasonable agreement with a priori data is achieved.

This work concerns the modelling of stratified two-phase turbulent flows with interfaces. We consider an equation for an intermittency function α(x,t)α(x,t) which denotes the probability of finding an interface at a given time t   and a given point xx. In Wacławczyk and Oberlack (2011) a model for the unclosed terms in this equation was proposed. Here, we investigate the performance of this model by a priori tests, and finally, based on the a priori data discuss its possible modification and improvements.