Numerical simulation of flow past a triangular prism with fluid–structure interaction

Abstract

Fluid flows around a pointed object, e.g. the flow around a triangular prism, are often encountered. In this study, numerical simulation of the flow around a triangular prism was carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics® software. Two cases were considered: the entire area of the triangular prism is fixed; and only the center is fixed. The first case is divided into three different flow models according to the flow state: the separation bubble model, the edge separation model and the attached flow model. The effects of different flow models on the lift coefficient, drag coefficient and Strouhal number were discussed from the perspective of fluid flow. For the second case, the triangular prism periodically rotates while the vortices are separated from the surface. It was found that a stable rotation stage exists after a certain period of time for prisms with different initial positions. The lift and drag coefficients of the triangular prism satisfy the jagged and sinusoidal variation.

Keywords

• flow
• triangular prism
• fluid–structure interaction
• fixed constraint
• drag force
• flow–particle interaction