Comparative assessment of PANS and DES for simulation of flow past a circular cylinder

Flow past a circular cylinder at two subcritical Reynolds numbers (Re=3900 and Re=1.4×105) is simulated by partially-averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) method and detached eddy simulation (DES). The objective of current study is to evaluate the properties of PANS models in the simulation of unsteady turbulent flows. The model performance is assessed by a detailed comparison of PANS predictions to the corresponding experimental data and DES results. The computed pressure distribution, velocity profiles along with Reynolds stresses are presented in the comparison. The control parameter relevant to PANS models which determines the ratio of unresolved-to-total kinetic energy (fk) is adopted as either a constant or a spatially varying function. As expected, fine-scale vortical structures are resolved at a low value of fk. The numerical results from PANS show its comparable capabilities with DES for simulation of massively separated flows and its potential application in the prediction of industrial turbulent flows.