Numerical investigation of flow around a structure using Navier-slip boundary conditions

Purpose Complicated motion of vortex is frequently observed in the wake of islands. These kinds of swirling fluid cause the trap of sediments or pollutants, subsequently inducing the dead zone, odor or poor water quality. Therefore, the understanding of flow past a circular cylinder is significant in predicting water quality and positioning the immersed structures. This study aims to investigate the flow properties around a structure using Navier-slip boundary conditions. Design/methodology/approach Boundary conditions are a major factor affecting the flow pattern because the magnitude of flow detachment on a surface can redistribute the tangential stress on the wall. Therefore, the authors performed an analysis of laminar flow passing through a circular structure to investigate the effect of boundary conditions on the flow pattern. Findings The authors examined the relationship between the partial-slip boundary conditions and the flow behavior at low Reynolds number past a circular cylinder considering velocity and vorticity distributions behind the cylinder, lift coefficient and Strouhal number. The amplitude of lift coefficient by the partial slip condition had relatively small value compared with that of no-slip condition, as the wall shear stress acting on the cylinder became smaller by the velocity along the cylinder surface. The frequency of the asymmetrical vortex formation with partial slip velocity was increased compared with no-slip case due to the intrinsic inertial effect of Navier-slip condition. Originality/value The ability to engineer slip could have dramatic influences on flow, as the viscous dominated motion can lead to large pressure drops and large axial dispersion. By the slip length control, no-slip, partial-slip and free-slip boundary conditions are tunable, and the velocity distributions at the wall, vortex formation and wake pattern including the amplitude of lift coefficient and frequency were significantly affected by slip length parameter.