Two-dimensional numerical simulation of vortex shedding and flapping motion of turbulent flow around a rib

The two-dimensional, turbulent, separated and reattached flow around a rib is investigated with the direct solution of transient Navier–Stokes and continuity equations using Galerkin finite elements. Simulation results and the flow characteristics are presented for six different Reynolds numbers (1304 ⩽ Re ⩽ 2500). Many aspects of turbulent flow are presented and discussed including vortex shedding, flapping motion and statistics of turbulence. The numerical results of this work are compared with available experimental and numerical data of other researchers.

► Two-dimensional, turbulent, separated and reattached flow around a rib.
► Transient Navier–Stokes equations solved with finite element method.
► Visualization and animation of vortex shedding phenomena in a separated flow.
► The flapping motion of the reattachment line.