Two-Dimensional Simulations of Turbulent Flow Past a Row of Cylinders using Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract

Two-dimensional simulations of channel flow past an array of cylinders are carried out at high Reynolds numbers. Considering the thickness fluctuating effect on the equation of motion, a modified lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is proposed. Special attention is paid to investigate the thickness fluctuations and vortex shedding mechanisms between 11 cylinders. Results for the velocity and vorticity differences are provided, as well as for the energy density and enstrophy spectra. The numerical results coincide very well with some published experimental data that was obtained by turbulent soap films. The spectra extracted from the velocity and vorticity fields are displayed from simulations, along with the thickness fluctuation spectrum H(k). Our results show that the statistics of thickness fluctuations resemble closely those of a passive scalar in turbulent flows.