The use of dynamic grid adaptation algorithms for the modelling of flow around a circular cylinder in sub-critical flow regime

• Published in: International journal for numerical methods in fluids 2003-03, Vol.41 (8), p.789-808
• Main Authors: de With, G., Holdø, A. E., Huld, T. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational methods in fluid dynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Rotational flow and vorticity; Separated flows
• ISSN: 0271-2091; 1097-0363
• DOI: 10.1002/fld.418

In the present study a dynamic grid adaptation (DGA) algorithm is utilized for predicting flow around a circular cylinder in sub‐critical flow regime at a Reynolds number of 1.4×105. The reason for adopting a DGA algorithm is the unsteadiness of the flow field which makes a conventional mesh inefficient. The concept being adopted is to concentrate mesh refinement in regions with high gradients and high turbulent viscosity, while in the region further downstream where the flow is fully developed a coarser mesh will develop and turbulence is modelled with the large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model. The aim of the study is to present an appropriate variable for mesh refinement, which accomplishes a high rate of mesh refinement in the region with high gradients. The new variable is a product of the local mesh cell size and the rate of strain and includes two additional variables to allow control over the refinement behaviour. The results are compared with experimental data at the corresponding Reynolds number and also with numerical results obtained with conventional mesh. It is demonstrated that DGA algorithms can give results of a very high quality for a mesh that is significantly smaller than for a conventional mesh. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.