Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Flow Oscillations in a Rectangular Cavity

Abstract

The unsteady, incompressible, moderate Reynolds number flow past a rectangular cavity is experimentally and numerically investigated. Laser-Doppler anemometry, flow visualization and unsteady numerical simulation using fully second-order accuracy in time and space, were the tools employed to meet this purpose. Large-amplitude organized oscillations are reported to occur in the investigated geometry due to fluid-dynamic instability. Detailed flow visualization and unsteady predictions clearly show that the instability process involves a complex coupling of shear layer and recirculating flowfield dynamics. The paper also demonstrates the accuracy of the present calculations.