Comparisons of Subgrid-Scale Models for OpenFoam Large- Eddy Simulation

OpenFOAM is a free, open-source software package that can be used for the solutions of computational fluid dynamics and simulation of various fluid flow processes. Nevertheless, OpenFOAM still lacks default settings and a large number of different numerical schemes and turbulent models should be validated. In this paper, the unsteady flow around a cylinder (Re=3900) is calculated by the large eddy simulation of OpenFOAM. The predictions include the drag and lift coefficient, the pressure distribution around the cylinder, the velocity distribution and Reynolds stress distribution in the wake region, as well as the prediction of the recirculation length and separation angle. Thanks to several simulations, these five subgrid-scale (SGS) models are compared and studied: The Smagorinsky SGS model, wall adaptive local eddy visibility SGS model, dynamic SGS model with Lagrangian averaging, dynamic one equation eddy visibility model, one equation eddy visibility model. The numerical results are verified with the published experimental data.