# On the intrinsic three-dimensionality of the flow normal to a circular disk

## TL;DR

This study uses direct numerical simulations to investigate the intrinsic three-dimensional flow characteristics behind a circular disk at Re=1000, revealing significant effects of azimuthal simplification on flow features and drag measurements.

## Contribution

It demonstrates how reducing azimuthal extent affects flow structures and drag, highlighting the intrinsic three-dimensionality of the wake behind a circular disk.

## Key findings

- Intrinsic three-dimensionality is present in the wake.
- Simplification reduces mean drag coefficient significantly.
- Flow quantities are sensitive to azimuthal extent.

## Abstract

Direct numerical simulations are performed for the steady flow normal to a circular disk at the Reynolds number of 1000. Numerical simulations are conducted with different levels of simplification procedure by reducing the azimuthal extension of the disk. The full-disk, the half-disk, the quarter-disk, the eighth-disk and the two-dimensional (2D) cases with the identical grid resolution are considered. Intrinsic three-dimensionality is identified in the wake of the circular disk. Both of the instantaneous and mean flow quantities are influenced by the simplification level significantly. The mean drag coefficient obtained from the 2D case is about only 36% of that obtained from the three-dimensional (3D) simulation for the full-disk.