Effects of the common-flow-up pair produced by vortex generators in a rectangular channel flow on fluid flow and heat transfer are numerically investigated. In order to analyze the common-flow-up pair, the pseudo-compressibility method is introduced into the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Strokes equations for a three-dimensional incompressible viscous flow. A two-layer k-epsilon turbulence model is applied to a three-dimensional turbulence boundary over a flat plate to predict the flow structure and heat transfer characteristics of the common-flow-up pair and to resolve the near-wall flow. Results reasonably predict the flow structure of the common-flow-up pair, such as secondary velocity vectors and turbulent kinetic energy contours. Also, in the prediction of thermal boundary layers, skin friction characteristics and heat transfer characteristics, the present results are reasonably close to the experimental results of other researchers even though some discrepancies are observed near the center of the vortex core. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.