Large-eddy simulation of flow about a rotating cylinder at large Reynolds number

Abstract

Wall-resolved large-eddy simulations (LES) of flow over a rotating cylinder are described. The two important flow parameters are the Reynolds number ReD = U∞ D/ν and the rotation speed α = Ω D/(2 U∞). We discuss LES data sets obtained by varying α at various ReD with our main results at ReD = 6 × 104. Our emphasis centers on the lift-crisis phenomenon where, at fixed and large ReD, the lift coefficient CL decreases suddenly as α passes though a narrow, critical band. We show the variation of time/span-wise averaged pressure and skin-friction coefficients around the cylinder surface as α is increased. The LES is shown to capture the lift crisis at ReD = 6 × 104. Calculations of CL are compared with experimental measurements.