Compressibility in suddenly expanded subsonic flows

This paper concerns implicit large eddy simulations of subsonic flows through a symmetric suddenly expanded channel. We aim at shedding light on the flow physics at a relatively high Reynolds number of 10 000, based on the inlet bulk velocity and the step height of the channel, and examine the compressibility effects for two Mach numbers, Ma = 0.1 and Ma = 0.5. Comparisons with experimental measurements are provided. In addition, we investigate the structure of the separated regions, turbulence structures—through the Reynolds stress anisotropy componentality—and turbulence kinetic energy budgets. The results reveal that compressibility influences particular flow physics