Title: An automatic mesh adaptation algorithm and its performance for simulation of flow over a circular cylinder at Re = 1.4 × 105

Authors: Sayan Kaennakham; Moji Moatamedi

Addresses: School of Mathematics, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand ' Multiphysics Centre, Narvik University College, Lodve Langesgt, 2 Postboks 385, 8505 Narvik, Norway

Abstract: The first objective of this study is to demonstrate how beneficial an automatic grid adaptation algorithm can be when applied with four two-equation turbulence models. For this, a simple mesh adaptation algorithm is constructed and tested with the flow over a circular cylinder at sub-critical regime with Re = 1.4 × 105. Its effectiveness is judged using three components; accuracy level, simplicity to use, and CPU affordability. The use of algorithm reveals a satisfactory solution with visible improvement in accuracy level when compared to fixed mesh. The most appealing feature of this algorithm is the significant reduction in CPU requirement indicating its potential one can achieve. Secondly, an investigation on evaluation of the four turbulence models, k - ε (RNG), k - ε (realisable), k - ω (standard), k - ω (SST), for this type of flow is also conducted. The results show that both models in k - ω category better predict the flow mechanism.

Keywords: automatic mesh adaptation; algorithm; flow simulation; refinement variable; turbulence modelling; circular cylinder flow.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCSE.2014.060681

International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering, 2014 Vol.9 No.3, pp.257 - 273

Accepted: 21 May 2012
Published online: 24 May 2014 *

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