Large-eddy simulation of the flow around a bluff body

Large-eddy simulations are made of the flow around a surface-mounted cube, showing that it is possible to obtain accurate results in a coarse grid simulation. The inadequate resolution is compensated for by the use of a dynamic one-equation subgrid-scale model. Two one-equation subgrid models are used here to model the subgrid-scale stress tensor. A series of time-averaged velocities and turbulent stresses are computed and compared with the experiments and show good agreement. Global quantities such as drag and lift coefficients and vortex shedding frequency are presented. The transfer of the turbulent energy was studied and the reverse transfer of energy (backscatter) was predicted. Coherent structures and other flow features were also examined. The results showed good agreement with experimental observations.