Long time-averaged solutions of turbulent flow past a circular cylinder

A critical analysis of numerical predictions of the long time averaged flow past a circular cylinder is presented. The flow regimes considered cover a wide range of Reynolds numbers with an emphasis on the transitional range, i.e. (104 to 107). In this study calculations are made using the standard κ-e model with an empirically imposed transition criteria. Our own simulations as well as those published by others with various turbulence models including those with vortex shedding are compared with experimental data. Significant differences were found among different predictions for the same flow conditions with essentially the same turbulence models. Reasons for these differences are elucidated. The transitional nature of the flow regime, and the grid size and its distribution, particularly inside the boundary layer, play a major role in obtaining vastly different predictions. The present calculations with the conventional κ-e turbulence model and an empirically imposed transition compare favorably with those obtained from “more sophisticated” models such as large-eddy simulations.