Three non-Newtonian constitutive models are employed to investigate how fluid rheological
properties influence the development of laterally asymmetric flows past confined cylinders.
First, simulations with the shear-thinning but inelastic Carreau–Yasuda model are compared
against complementary flow velocimetry experiments on a semidilute xanthan gum solution,
showing that shear-thinning alone is insufficient to cause flow asymmetry. Next, simulations
with an elastic but non-shear-thinning finitely extensible non-linear elastic dumbbell model …