Abstract
Numerical simulations of the three-dimensional fluid flow in a two-sided non-facing lid-driven cubical cavity are presented. Computations have been carried out for several Reynolds numbers from a low value to 700, At low Reynolds numbers the flow is steady. The three dimensional flow characteristics are analyzed at Re = 500. An analysis of the flow evolution shows that, when increasing Re beyond a certain critical value the flow becomes unstable and bifurcates. It is observed that the transition to unsteadiness follows the classical scheme of a Hopf bifurcation. The time dependent Solution is studied and the critical Reynolds number is localized. To cite this article: B. Ben Beya, T Lili, C R. Mecanique 336 (2008). (C) 2008 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.