Lattice Boltzmann simulation of two-sided lid-driven flow in deep cavities

Abstract

The present study is concerned with two-sided lid-driven incompressible flow in rectangular, deep cavities applying lattice Boltzmann method. After validating the code forthe square cavity, solutions for cavities with an aspect ratio 1.5 and 4 were obtained for the Reynolds numbers of 100, 400, 1000 and 3200. The influence of the Reynolds numberand aspect ratio on the flow pattern and on the characteristics of vortices inside the cavity was studied. Symmetric flow pattern was obtained for all investigated cases. Themiddle of the cavity is mostly influenced by the increase in the aspect ratio. Critical aspect ratio, at which the birth of a primary vortex in the middle of the cavity takes place, was determined to be between 2.7 and 2.725.