Large Eddy Simulation of an Oscillating Cylinder

Licentiate thesis, 2010

In this thesis Large Eddy Simulation of an Oscillating Cylinder is carried out studying the governing flow physics and modeling aspects such as effect of grid resolution and subgrid model. This also involves validation of the predictions with experimental data in terms of Fourier analysis, magnitude and characteristic shape of drag and lift force profiles. The work is performed with the outlook to perform Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) studies, a subject describing the balances of forces between a fluid and a moveable or deformable structure in connection. The prediction of correct flow imposed forces is thus of great importance. The phenomenon of FSI is of major importance in many engineering applications related to naval architecture e.g. propeller singing, flexible propeller blades, wave-induced vibrations, acoustic signatures from naval vessels and cavitation erosion. All these applications are very complex both from an experimental and a mathematical modeling point of view. Development of numerical methods and models, validated, using experiments is believed in the long term to access these applications and even facilitate the testing of conceptional designs. The results presented in the thesis are overall very promising, with a good agreement with experimental data in terms of magnitude and the characteristic shape of the drag and lift force profiles, supporting the use of Large Eddy Simulation based fluid-structure interaction methodology.