Lattice Boltzmann simulation of flow around two, three and four circular cylinders in close proximity

Abstract

Cross-flows around two, three and four circular cylinders in tandem, side-by-side, isosceles triangle and square arrangements are simulated using the incompressible lattice Boltzmann method with a second-order accurate curved boundary condition at Reynolds number 200 and the cylinder center-to-center transverse or/and longitudinal spacing 1.5D, where D is the identical circular cylinder diameter. The wake patterns, pressure and force distributions on the cylinders and mechanism of flow dynamics are investigated and compared among the four cases. The results also show that flows around the three or four cylinders significantly differ from those of the two cylinders in the tandem and side-by-side arrangements although there are some common features among the four cases due to their similarity of structures, which are interesting, complex and useful for practical applications. This study provides a useful database to validate the simplicity, accuracy and robustness of the Lattice Boltzmann method. Lattice Boltzmann method, curved boundary condition, cross-flow around cylinders