Large eddy simulation of flows past an array of square cylinders

The flows past an array of square cylinders occur in wide range of applications. To study these flows, we conducted three-dimensional large-eddy simulations for flows past an array of the circular shape formed by multiple smaller square cylinders, where the Reynolds number defined by the array diameter was 1994. We conducted simulations with different solid volume fractions (SVFs) of the square cylinder array ( 0.3 % < S V F < 21.7 % ). The effects of these configurations on flow characteristics were analyzed. Periodic drag fluctuation was observed when the SVF was small since the distance between the square cylinder was large, and the vortex shedding occurred with impact from other cylinders. No significant fluctuation in the drag was observed over time when the SVF was large. The minimum distance between the square cylinders was used to measure the degree of vortex shedding and reflect the relationship between the square cylinder position and the drag fluctuation.