FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING OF FLOW AROUND A CIRCULAR-CYLINDER USING LES

An implicit solution procedure to solve the Navier-Stokes equations us ing large eddy simulation (LES) and finite element method (FEM) to stu dy flow around a circular cylinder is presented. The drag-crisis pheno mena is simulated using a two-dimensional (2D) model. The computed dra g and Strouhal numbers for Reynolds numbers (Re) of 10(4), 10(5), 5 x 10(5) and 10(6) are compared with available experimental and computati onal results. The drag-crisis trend is noted but the decrease in drag coefficient is not as much as reported in the wind tunnel measurement. The FEM model will be used to study flow around bridges.