Numerical Simulation of Vortex Shedding from an Inclined Flat Plate

Vortex shedding flow from a flat plate inclined to a uniform flow at an angle of attack between 20 degrees and 45 degrees is simulated with a finite volume CFD code with RNG k-epsilon turbulence model. The unsteady flow simulation at Re=2x10(4) with RANS shows two trains of vortices shed from the two different edges of the plate forming a vortex street in the wake of the plate. The computed results provide support to previous experimental observations that in this asymmetric flow geometry, the two trains of vortices in the vortex street possess different vortex strengths. There is further evidence that the vortex from the plate leading edge is actually shed from a location near the trailing end of the plate. The computed flow at successive phases of a vortex shedding cycle show different development and shedding mechanisms for the two trains of vortices. The study also explores the generation mechanism of the fluctuating lift and drag on the plate and its relationship with the vortex shedding processes