Turbulent flows in rectangular cooling ducts of rocket engine thrust chambers are characterized by secondary motions of Prandtl's first and second kinds. These secondary currents play a prominent part in heat transfer between the thrust chamber and the cooling gas conveyed in the duct. Previous numerical and experimental works reveal that attaching ridges on the walls of the duct causes the formation of new secondary flows of Prandtl's second kind. These new structures are likely to increase the heat transfer. The present study has investigated numerically, through large eddy simulations, the effect of different forms of ridges on heat transfer in straight square duct flows. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.