Large Eddy Simulation Investigation of the Hysteresis Effects in the Flow Around an Oscillating Ground Vehicle

Journal article, 2011

This paper presents large eddy simulations (LES) of flow around a simplified vehicle model oscillating around its vertical axis. The frequency of the Strouhal number St = 0.068 and a relatively small amplitude of the oscillation are chosen to be representative for the crosswind conditions of vehicles on the road. The results were found to agree well with data from previous experimental investigations. Furthermore, the differences in LES flows between quasi-steady and dynamic flow conditions are presented and underlying flow mechanisms are explored. The cause of the phenomena of hysteresis and phase shift was found in the inertia of the flow to adjust to sudden changes in the direction of the oscillation of the body.