Large eddy simulation of a smooth circular cylinder oscillating normal to a uniform flow

Results of a numerical evaluation of transitional flow around a circular cylinder forced to oscillate in a direction normal to a uniform flow are presented. The cylinder is considered to be representative of a single riser exposed to a steady current. Numerical simulations were carried out using the LES method in 2-D and 3-D with a near-wall approach that was developed without using a law of the wall for a finite element code (FEM). The 3-D simulations were compared with the 2-D results and experimental data in order to assess the relative performance of the 3-D LES simulations, The results show that 3-D LES gives more realistic flow field predictions and can further remove overconservatism in the prediction of hydrodynamic force coefficients.