Large-Eddy and Detached-Eddy Simulations of the separated flow around a circular cylinder*

The separated turbulent flow around a circular cylinder is investigated using Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES, or hybrid RANS/LES methods), and Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS). The purpose of this study is to examine some typical simulation approaches for the prediction of complex separated turbulent flow and to clarify the capability of applying these approaches to a typical case of the separated turbulent flow around a circular cylinder. Several turbulence models, i.e. dynamic Sub-grid Scale (SGS) model in LES, the DES-based Spalart-Allmaras (S-A) and κ - ω Shear-Stress-Transport (SST) models in DES, and the S-A and SST models in URANS, are used in the calculations. Some typical results, e.g., the mean pressure and drag coefficients, velocity profiles, Strouhal number, and Reynolds stresses, are obtained and compared with previous computational and experimental data. Based on our extensive calculations, we assess the capability and performance of these simulation approaches coupled with the relevant turbulence models to predict the separated turbulent flow.