Abstract
The unsteady incompressible 2D Navier-Stokes equations are solved using a finite element method with Streamline-Upwind/Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) and Pressure-Stabilizing/Petrov- Galerkin (PSPG) stabilization terms for high Reynolds number (105 to I06) flow past a cylinder to stimulate drag-crisis. The mean drag coefficient for various Re are compared with experimental data. It is observed that the low at Re =106 separates much later, from the cylinder surface as compared to that at Re =105. The wake at Re =106 is narrower than that at Re = 105. The time-averaged flow field shows a standing bubble just downstream of the flow separation point for the Re = 105 flow. The bubble is not observed for the flow at Re = 106. The energy spectrum of the flow exhibits the characteristics of 2D isotropic turbulence.