Large-eddy simulations are used to investigate the origin of the wake asymmetry and symmetry behind notchback Ahmed bodies. Two different effective backlight angles, ${\beta _1} = 17.8\mathrm{^\circ }$ and ${\beta _2} = 21.0\mathrm{^\circ }$ , are simulated resulting in wake asymmetry and symmetry in flows without external perturbations, in agreement with previous experimental observations. In particular, the asymmetric case presents a bi-stable nature showing, in a random fashion, two stable mirrored states characterized by a left or right asymmetry for long periods. A random switch and several attempts to switch between the bi-stability are observed. The asymmetry of the flow is ascribed to the asymmetric separations and reattachments in the wake. The deflection of the near-wall flow structures behind the slant counteracting the asymmetry drives the wake to be temporarily symmetric, triggering the switching process of the bi-stable wake. The consequence of deflection that forces the flow structure to form on the opposite side of the slant is the decisive factor for a successful switch. Modal analysis applying proper orthogonal decomposition is used for the exploration of the wake dynamics of the bi-stable nature observed.

The wake of a notchback Ahmed body presenting a bi-stable nature is investigated by performing wind tunnel experiments and large-eddy simulations. Attention is confined to the Reynolds number ( $Re$ ) influence on the wake state instability within $5\times 10^{4}\leq Re \leq 25\times 10^{4}$ . Experimental observations suggest a wake bi-stability with low-frequency switches under low $Re$ . The wake becomes ‘tri-stable’ with the increase of $Re$ with the introduction of a new symmetric state. The higher presence of the symmetric state can be considered as a symmetrization of the wake bi-stability with an increasing $Re$ . The wake symmetry under high $Re$ attributed to the highly frequent switches of the wake is extremely sensitive to small yaw angles, showing the feature of bi-stable flows. The wake asymmetry is confirmed in numerical simulations with both low and high $Re$ . The wake asymmetries are indicated by the wake separation, the reattachment and the wake dynamics identified by the proper orthogonal decomposition. However, the turbulence level is found to be significantly higher with a higher $Re$ . This leads to a higher possibility to break the asymmetric state, resulting in highly frequent switches showing symmetry.

This study attempts to describe associated fluid dynamics of a square finite wall-mounted cylinder (FWMC) immersed within free-stream turbulent flow characterized by different turbulence intensities and integral length scales. An improved delayed detached eddy simulation method is adopted to numerically reproduce the fully developed turbulent flow fields. The results reveal that both the turbulence intensities and integral length scales have a significant effect on the separated shear layers, base pressure, and associated aerodynamic forces of the cylinder. Constrained streamlines along with critical point techniques are employed to further illustrate the influence of parameters of interest on a time-averaged flow pattern, including horseshoe vortex, surface flow, and wake topology. Distribution of second-order statistics within the wake region shows a shorter longitudinal length of the reversed flow region and enhanced vortex strength when background turbulence intensity increases. The time-dependent interaction between background turbulence and separated flow around the square FWMC is illustrated based on the phase difference between pressure of opposing side faces and the evolution of the reverse-flow region. In the end, the spectral proper orthogonal decomposition technique is employed to further investigate the effects of incoming flow turbulence on characteristics of the free-end shear flow and Von Kármán vortex shedding in the wake.

The wake bi-stability behind notchback Ahmed bodies is investigated by performing wind tunnel experiments and large eddy simulations (LESs). The focus of this study is on the suppression of bi-stable wakes achieved by rounding the roof's trailing edge of the body. The suppression effect is found to depend on the Reynolds number ($Re$ ). The wake behind a sharp edge remains bi-stable for all tested $Re$ . However, for a rounded edge with small radius, wake bi-stability at $Re=0.5\times {10}^5$ and wake symmetrization with $0.75\times {10}^5\le Re\le 1.5\times {10}^5$ are observed. Increasing $Re$ with $Re\ge 1.75\times {10}^5$ , the wake returns to the bi-stable state. Particularly, with $Re\ge 2\times {10}^5$ , a stable asymmetric wake state with no switches is observed for long periods. Performing LES confirms the expected wake asymmetry at $Re=0.5\times {10}^5$ and symmetry at $Re=1\times {10}^5$ for the case of rounded edge with a small radius. Besides, another wake symmetry is observed for the rounded edge with a large radius at $Re=0.5\times {10}^5$ . For the two wake symmetries shown in the LES results, the symmetrization is attributed to wake suppression in the notchback region, forcing the flow separation from the rear roof to attach to the slant on both sides of the body.

The aerodynamic performance of a high-speed train passing through tunnel junctions under severe crosswind condition was numerically investigated using improved delayed detached-eddy simulations (IDDES). Three ground scenarios connected with entrances and exits of tunnels were considered. In particular a flat ground, an embankment, and a bridge configuration were used. The numerical method was first validated against experimental data, showing good agreement. The results show that the ground scenario has a large effect on the train’s aerodynamic performance. The bridge case resulted in generally smaller drag and lift, as well as a lower pressure coefficient on both the train body and the inner tunnel wall, as compared to the tunnel junctions with flat ground and embankment. Furthermore, the bridge configuration contributed to the smallest pressure variation in time in the tunnel. Overall, the study gives important insights on complicated tunnel junction scenarios coupled with severe flow conditions, that, to the knowledge of the authors, were not studied before. Beside this, the results can be used for further improvements in the design of tunnels where such crosswind conditions may occur.