Large eddy simulation of flow past a 3D cylinder at Re=3900

Abstract

Unsteady flow past a cylinder (Re=3900) was computed using large eddy simulation (LES) by OpenFOAM. The study includes the prediction of drag and lift coefficient, and pressure distribution around the cylinder. During the simulation, the one-equation sub-grid scale (SGS) model was applied. LES numerical results were compared with published RANS k-ϵ model, k-ω model and experimental data. Results indicate that LES one-equation SGS model provides better agreement in force coefficients and pressure distribution than above mentioned RANS turbulence models. Besides, effect of spanwise discretization to numerical results is also investigated, showing that medium gird is fine enough to yield accurate results compared to the fine grid, which is very computationally expensive.