Large Eddy Simulation of the flow around a finite-length square cylinder with free-end slot suction

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) is used to study the effects of steady slot suction on the aerodynamic forces of and flow around a wall-mounted finite-length square cylinder. The aspect ratio H/d of the tested cylinder is 5, where H and d are the cylinder height and width, respectively. The Reynolds number based on free-stream oncoming flow velocity U∞ and d is 2.78×10⁴. The suction slot locates near the leading edge of the free end, with a width of 0.025d and a length of 0.9d. The suction coefficient Q (= Us/U∞) is varied as Q = 0, 1 and 3, where Us is the velocity at the entrance of the suction slot. It is found that the free-end steady slot suction can effectively suppress the aerodynamic forces of the model. The maximum reduction of aerodynamic forces occurs at Q = 1, with the time-mean drag, fluctuating drag, and fluctuating lift reduced by 3.75%, 19.08%, 40.91%, respectively. For Q = 3, all aerodynamic forces are still smaller than those for Q = 0 (uncontrolled case), but obviously higher than those for Q = 1. The involved control mechanism is successfully revealed, based on the comparison of the flow around cylinder free end and the near wake for the three tested Q values.