A numerical analysis of vortex shedding within a confined channel flow

The numerical analysis of two-dimensional laminar vortex shedding from a re ctangular cylinder within a confined channel flow is presented. This study, carried out using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code based on the S IMPLEST algorithm, considers the influence of numerical diffusion on the pr ediction of the vortex shedding frequency. The computational analysis compa res the commonly used first-order accurate UPWIND scheme with the well-know n third-order scheme QUICK and its derivative SMART, used for the discretiz ation of convective transport. For the temporal differencing, a fully impli cit scheme has been adopted. Plots of Strouhal number against Reynolds numb er suggest that the implementation of a higher-order scheme is beneficial f or the accurate capture of the vortex shedding transient in unsteady flows of this nature.