Numerical Solution of the Problem of Vortex Street Development

A method is described for the solution of time-dependent problems concerning the flow of viscous incompressible fluids in several space dimensions. The method is numerical, using a high-speed computer for the solution of a finite-difference approximation to the partial differential equations of motion. The application described here is to a study of the development of a vortex street behind a plate which has impulsively accelerated to constant speed in a channel of finite width; the Reynolds-number range investigated was 15 ≤ R ≤ 6000. Particular attention was given to those features for which comparison could be made with experiments, namely, critical Reynolds number for vortex shedding, drag coefficient, Strouhal number, vortex configuration, and channel-wall effects. The nature of the early stages of flow-pattern development was also investigated.