Topology of flow over a 6:1 prolate spheroid

Large-Eddy Simulation is used to investigate the effects of Reynolds number and angle of attack on the flow over the 6:1 prolate spheroid. The spheroid is a canonical geometry that generates three-dimensional boundary layer separations and the formation of a complex system of coherent vortical structures. Reynolds number and angle of attack affect the location and fluxes at separation, which in turn have an influence of vortex behaviour and the forces on the spheroid. A run matrix of 6 Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.15 million to 4 million and 8 angles of attack from 10 degrees to 90 degrees are considered to study these effects. The axial variations of the recirculation are analysed for each case, and help provide a novel description of the spheroid flow.