Large eddy simulation of the flow around an inclined prolate spheroid

Results from a computational study of high-Reynolds-number (Re = 4.2 × 106) flow through a 6:1 prolate spheroid, based on large eddy simulation (LES), are presented here. The objectives are to evaluate the applicability of LES to practically relevant high-Re flows, to investigate the influence of subgrid modelling and grid resolution on the quality of the results and to discuss the fluid dynamics of this particular flow. The LES use a variety of subgrid and wall models and, here, they were performed on different grids in appropriate combinations. The first subgrid model used was a k-equation eddy-viscosity model for parametrization of the subgrid stress tensor, used with and without the wall model. Additionally, the localized dynamic Smagorinsky model was applied to investigate the capabilities of a zero-equation model. In combination with these models, two grid variants were used: one baseline grid and a uniformly refined grid. The computational domain consists of a large sphere in which the spheroid is ...