Computational Fluid Dynamics

Exercise 04: Backward Facing Step

The backward-facing step flow consists of an inlet channel that leads to a sudden,
asymmetrical expansion i.e. a step. Figure 1 illustrates the geometry and specifies the
boundary conditions. The Reynolds number characterising the flow defined using the inlet
velocity U and the double the inlet channel height h:

In this exercise the fluid is air.

A. Prepare three cases for a backward-facing step study. The purpose is to study the effect
of the outlet boundary on the results. Therefore, you should test 40 mm, 75 mm and 100
mm between the outlet and the step. The other dimensions of the domain should be
according to Figure
1. For the inlet, you can fix the velocity to the value U = 0:561 m=s, think of the other
boundary conditions yourself. In your report, present the boundary conditions, amount of
cells, discretization schemes and illustrative figures of one of the meshes.

B. Run a total of three simulations for the case for a sufficient time. In
your report, present the following figures
Velocity profiles (u x(y)) of the streamwise velocity component at distances 0, 12.75,
27.05, 30.6 and 38.8 mm downstream of the step at the latest time instance. The reference
data from [1] is given.
Streamlines of all the three simulations at the latest time instance. (three figures)
Velocity fields of all the three simulations at the latest time instance. (three figures)

Case: Simulation of Backward Facing step Flow in an Inlet Channel

Part A:
Task: Case Setup (Pre-processing)

Data:

Case Analysis Type: 2D

Dimension = 0.07/0.1/0.13mx0.0101mx0.001m(xyz)
Meshing =
1st Case: 3 Blocks (75x100),(100x100),(100x100) with Multi-Grading
Cells = 27500
2nd Case: 3 Blocks (100x100),(125x100),(125x100) with Multi-Grading
Cells = 35000
3rd Case: 3 Blocks (125x100),(150x100),(150x100) with Multi-Grading
Cells = 42500

Initial & Boundary Condition:

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- Start Time = 0s
- Kinematic Viscosity = 1.5e-5 m2/s
- Initial Inlet Velocity = 0.561 m/s, Outlet = 0 gradient
- Pressure Gradient = 0
- Reynold Number = 390
- Time Discretization Scheme: Backward
- Divergence Scheme: Gauss Linear

- And conditions from Figure below:

Figure 1: Meshed Figure of the Channel

Part B:

Task: Simulation

Data:

Flow = Incompressible, Laminar

Solver Method: PIMPLE

Simulation Time: T= 02 second

Courant Number <1
Transport Model: Newtonian Fluid

Results outcome and comparison Graphs: -

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 a) Velocity profiles (ux(y)) of the stream-wise velocity component at distances 0, 12.75, 27.05,
30.6 and 38.8 mm downstream of the step at the latest time instance.

Figure 2: Velocity profile at Step Size 40mm

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Figure 3: Velocity profile at Step Size 75mm

Figure 4: Velocity profile at Step Size 100mm

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 b) Streamlines of all the three simulations at the latest time instance.

Figure 5: 1st - 40mm Step at 2 second

Figure 6: 2nd - 75mm Step at 2 second

Figure 7: 3rd - 100mm Step at 2 second

c) Velocity fields of all the three simulations at the latest time instance.

Figure 8: 1st - 40mm Step

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Figure 9: 2nd - 75mm Step

Figure 10: 3rd - 100mm Step

Explanation:

1. For how long do you need to run the simulation in order to reach the steady-state flow?

For each case, with different step size of 40mm, 75mm and 100mm, the steady state reached at times
around 1.5s~1.6s, 1.7s and 1.7s~1.8s respectively.

2. How would you describe the forming flow field?

As the fluid from the inlet channel, as a uniform field, and passes over the step, due to abrupt change
in geometry, vortex starts to develops at the Step in the corner, and stretches in the horizontal x-axis
direction, before reaching the steady state, in a recirculation shape until the stagnation point.

3. How does the distance between the outlet and the step affect the results?

By changing and increasing the distance between the Step and the Outlet has affected results to be
near the Armaly Data. While, the stagnation point of the flow also moves slightly on the rightward
direction. And from the Stream profile it can be seen that the recirculation area is near the Outlet,
when distance is increased, the flow gets to develop unto the outlet.