Computational Fluid Dynamics for Flow around a Circular Cylinder in the Critical Reynolds Number Regime

Abstract

In this paper, computational fluid dynamics for flow around a circular cylinder is carried out by means of solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with the turbulence model by the finite element method. The Reynolds number is from Re=2.8×10⁵∼3.5×10⁵. By using results of calculations, the flow patterns, drag and lift coefficients and Strouhal number depend on the Reynolds number are investigated. There are differences between the computational data and the experimental data, however the dependence of the Reynolds number and the drag crisis in the Critical Reynolds Number regime can be simulated near wake.