Large eddy simulation of flow past rectangular-section cylinders: Side ratio effects

In this paper, the flow characteristics around rectangular-section cylinders with different side ratios (R=width/height) of 0.4–4 are studied for Re=105. The effect of Reynolds number is also examined for some cases. Unsteady and three-dimensional computations are performed using large eddy simulation (LES) with two subgrid-scale models, the Smagorinsky (S-Model) and a one-equation model (OE-Model). An incompressible three-dimensional (3D) finite volume code with a collocated grid arrangement is used for solving the filtered Navier–Stokes equations. These equations are solved with an implicit fractional two-step method. A series of instantaneous and time- and spanwise-averaged resolved velocity, pressure, turbulent stresses, and streamlines are provided. Time-averaged global quantities such as the Strouhal number, the mean and the RMS values of drag force, the base suction pressure, the lift force, and the pressure coefficient are also calculated and compared with available experimental results.