Navigating the Currents: The Science and Application of 2D Cavity Flow Simulations

Introduction

The study and simulation of fluid flow have been pivotal in engineering and scientific research, shaping industries from aviation to automotive and beyond. Among the various methods of fluid dynamics studies, the 2D cavity flow simulation stands out for its simplicity yet profound implications in understanding fluid behaviour in constrained environments.

Historical Context

The roots of fluid flow simulation trace back to the early 20th century, with the development of the Navier-Stokes equations. These equations, named after Claude-Louis Navier and George Gabriel Stokes, describe the motion of viscous fluid substances. Despite their early derivation, solving these equations for anything but the simplest cases proved daunting due to the computational power required.

The advent of modern computing in the latter half of the 20th century revolutionized this field. Computers now could handle the complex calculations needed to simulate fluid flow, leading to significant advancements in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Among the myriad of problems CFD tackles, cavity flow simulation emerged as a fundamental study case due to its application in various fields, including aerodynamics, weather…