Two-layer flow past a cylinder in a rotating frame

Abstract

In this paper the two-layer flow past a cylinder in a rotating frame is modelled numerically. This study follows on from the many theoretical and experimental examinations of the one-layer flow past a cylinder. The main aim of this study is to investigate the geophysically relevant effect on the flow of varying the vertical shear, while keeping the other parameters the same in both layers. This will include an examination of the contour plots of vorticity and streamfunction and measuring the size of the separated region and the position of separation as a function of the vertical shear. The most interesting result is that the separated region in the slower layer grows much larger than that in the faster layer as the vertical shear is increased.