Two- and Three-Dimensional Numerical Analysis for Flow Field Characteristics at Various Low Reynolds Numbers

Two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulation of flow over a flat plate at various low Reynolds numbers (Re) are conducted. The predictability of instantaneous flow fields in the 2D simulation and variation of the flow field characteristics with Re are discussed in this study. The results show that 2D simulations can predict qualitative characteristics of averaged features such as surface pressure and skin friction coefficients. Moreover, two types of critical Re are specified; separation Re (Re-s) and bubble-length Re (Re-bl). Detailed analysis for the averaged pressure distribution predictability are performed by deriving a Reynolds averaged pressure gradient equation and budgeting each term.