Lattice Boltzmann method on a curvilinear coordinate system: Vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder

The interpolation-supplemented lattice Boltzmann equation (ISLBE) method is used to simulate the two-dimensional vortex shedding behind a circular cylinder at low Reynolds numbers. Simulations are carried out on a polar-coordinate grid system with a dense grid distributed near the cylinder surface. The Strouhal number, the drag, and the lift coefficients obtained from the simulations agree well with previous experimental measurements and classical computational fluid dynamics simulations. Comparisons of detailed flow patterns with other studies via streamlines and streaklines are also satisfactory. The ability of the ISLBE scheme to simulate complicated long-term periodic flow phenomena is demonstrated.