Scale-adaptive simulation of flow around a circular cylinder near a plane boundary

Abstract

Numerical investigations using Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) turbulence model are carried out to study the flow around a circular cylinder near to a plane boundary at Reynolds numbers between 8.6x104 and 2.77x105 with two different boundary layer thickness (δ) on the plane. The effects of gap (G) between the cylinder and the plane, the Reynolds number and the thickness of the plane boundary layer are analyzed through the drag and the lift coefficients, the Strouhal number, as well as through the wake flow structures behind the cylinder. Two and three-dimensional simulations are performed to examine the significance of the flow three-dimensionality when the cylinder is located near a plane. The SAS model results are compared with published experimental data and numerical results for similar flow conditions. The characteristics of the wake structures and force acting on the cylinder are in good agreement with previous studies. In general, the 3D-SAS model performed better than 2D-SAS. Based on the numerical results here obtained, the SAS turbulence model can be applied to study this flow configuration.