Effect of Reynolds Numbers on Flow Past a Square Cylinder in Presence of Multiple Control Cylinders at Various Gap Spacings.

In this paper, the numerical investigations for drag reduction and vortex shedding suppression behind a square cylinder are carried out in presence of small control cylinders placed both at upstream and downstream locations of main cylinder. The numerical computations are performed in the ranges of $$80 \le Re \le 200$$ and $$0.5 \le g \le 6$$ , (where Re is the Reynolds number and g is the gap spacing between the control cylinders and main square cylinder, respectively) using a single relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (SRT-LBM). Firstly, the present code is validated for flow past a single square cylinder at different Reynolds numbers. The effects of Re and g are investigated in terms of vortex shedding frequency, time-history analysis of drag and lift coefficients, energy spectra analysis of lift coefficient, vorticity contours visualization and forces exerted on the cylinder. Three different types of flow patterns are observed at different combinations of Reynolds numbers and gap spacings. The maximum reduction in the mean drag force and root-mean-square value of lift coefficient is found. Furthermore, the applications of SRT-LBM for suppression of vortex shedding and reduction in the drag force are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]