On the flow over cavities of large aspect ratio: A physical analysis

The flow over cavities of large aspect ratio is numerically investigated. The analysis is performed for both laminar and turbulent regimes. The results demonstrate that the opposite behavior on the displacement of the two vortices inside the cavity for turbulent and laminar regimes is linked to the net pressure force inside the cavity. The mathematical model corresponds to the incompressible, Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations. A k–ε turbulence model is used to close the problem. Two numerical schemes were used. The SIMPLER algorithm was adopted for laminar flows. The turbulent analysis was based on a scheme, recently developed by the present authors.