Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Flow Past a Cylinder Placed Downstream of a Step

Abstract

This study investigates the effect on the flow structure in a backward-facing step (BFSF) due to a cylinder placed downstream of the step. Numerical simulations were carried out using OpenFOAM with several turbulence models (standard k-ɛ, RNG k-ɛ, standard k-ω, and SST k-ω). The recirculating flow, the skin friction coefficient (C_f), and the pressure coefficient (C_p) of the bottom wall were comparatively analysed. The added cylinder modified the structure of flow and increased the skin friction coefficient (C_f) in the recirculation zone. Additionally, the pressure coefficient of the bottom wall increased immediately downstream of the cylinder and farther downstream of the reattachment point remained stable in the flow recovery process.