NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF EDDY STRUCTURE IN A SHEAR-DRIVEN CAVITY

We present in this paper a detailed numerical study of the vortical fl ow structure in a confined lid-driven cavity which is defined by a dep th-to-width aspect ratio of 1:1 and a span-to-width aspect ratio of 3: 1. In this study we have carefully examined the computed data that the useful to gain an in-depth knowledge of the complex interactions amon g secondary eddies, primary eddies, and spiraling spanwise motions. Ch ief of conclusions drawn from this study is to explain how the seconda ry eddies are intimately coupled with the primary recirculating flow. We also enlighten in this paper why spiraling vortices inside the upst ream secondary eddy tend to destabilize the incompressible flow system and aid development of laminar instabilities.