Abstract
A three-dimensional numerical study has been carried out to determine the effects of the aspect ratio, Ay, on the general flow structure in a driven cavity. The numerical method is based on the Finite Volume formulism and multigrid acceleration. For a fixed Reynolds number, Re = 1000, four span-wise aspect ratios, A v = 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125, have been considered. The stream lines in the central plane are displayed, relative to the different aspect ratios considered, and show the complexity of the flow when Ay becomes low. One sees also that lowering the aspect ratio leads to a clear lowering of the kinetic energy transmission from the casing to the bottom of the cavity. To cite this article: N. Ben Cheikh et al., C. R. Mecanique 336 (2008). (c) 2008 Academie des sciences. Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.