STEADY STATE VORTEX STRUCTURE OF LID DRIVEN FLOW INSIDE SHALLOW SEMI-ELLIPSE CAVITY

In this paper, the lid driven cavity flow inside a semi-ellipse shallow cavity was simulated using the stream function vorticity approach emphasising the non-uniform grid method. Three aspect ratios of 1:4, 1:3 and 3:8 were simulated using laminar flow conditions (range of Reynolds numbers of 100-2000). Primary and secondary vortexes were monitored extensively through centre vortex location, streamlines pattern and peak stream function values. Secondary vortexes developed at Re 1500 for the aspect ratio of 1:4, whereas secondary vortexes formed at an earlier Reynolds number of 1000 for the aspect ratios of 1:3 and 3:8. The size of secondary vortexes increases as the Reynolds number increases. Similar trends can be observed in the differences between primary vortex separation angle and reattachment angle. For the entire streamline pattern, many primary vortex centre locations were situated at the right side of the cavity.