Blockage influence on bi-stable flows of a notchback bluff body

Journal article, 2021

The expected flow asymmetry behind a three-dimensional notchback Ahmed body is numerically investigated using large-eddy simulations with different blockage ratios of 0%, 5 %, 10 %, and 20 %. The focus of the study is on the natural bi-stable flow influenced by the blockage ratio. Although the wake asymmetry can be observed under the blockage ratio within 0 % - 10 %, the significant blockage influence on the sensitive bi-stability is indicated by the wake structures, pressure gradients, and wake dynamics achieved with the proper orthogonal decomposition. The higher blockage ratio increases the turbulence kinetic energy, velocity, and negative pressure in the near-wake region, resulting in the decrease in the asymmetry degree. The consistency of the asymmetric wake is found with blockage ratios between 0% and 5 %. However, a 20 % blockage ratio symmetrizes the bi-stable wake. Several existing drag corrections for the blockage influence are discussed. The wind tunnel experiment verifies the bi-stable flow with low blockage ratios and the wake symmetrization with a 20 % blockage ratio.