Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of wall roughness on the flow dynamics behind a near-wall square cylinder

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Flow separations behind a square cylinder positioned at different vertical locations in smooth- and rough-wall turbulent boundary layers are experimentally studied using time-resolved particle image velocimetry. The Reynolds number based on the free-stream velocity and cylinder height is 12 750, and the incoming turbulent boundary layer thicknesses over the smooth and rough walls are, respectively, 3.6 and 7.2 times the cylinder height. For both the smooth and rough wall conditions, measurements were performed for wall-mounted cylinders with no gap between the cylinder and the wall, and also for cases where the gap between the bottom surface of the cylinder and the wall was set to 0.3, 0.5 and 2.0 times the cylinder height. The results show that wall roughness reduces the mean reattachment length behind the wall-mounted cylinders by 29%, but does not significantly influence the mean recirculation length behind the offset cylinders. Wall roughness also suppresses the Reynolds stresses in the lower shear layer emanating from the undersurface of the offset cylinders. The dominant frequencies behind the wall-mounted cylinder are similar to the dominant frequencies of the incoming turbulent boundary layer regardless of the wall roughness conditions, but the fundamental frequencies in the wake behind the offset cylinders are dictated by the vortex shedding motions. The dominant shedding frequencies behind the offset cylinders are nearly independent of gap ratio when scaled by the free-stream velocity, even though the cylinder is deeply submerged in a thick incoming turbulent boundary layer. Reconstruction of the vorticity field based on proper orthogonal decomposition shows that with a gap of 0.3 times the cylinder height, wall roughness reduces the size of vortical structures downstream the gap exit, and suppresses regular vortex shedding motion behind the cylinder.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adrian RJ, Meinhart CD, Tomkins CD (2000) Vortex organization in the outer region of the turbulent boundary layer. J Fluid Mech 422:1–54

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Agelinchaab M, Tachie MF (2008) PIV study of separated and reattached open channel flow over surface mounted blocks. J Fluids Eng 130:061206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinlade OG, Bergstrom DJ, Tachie MF, Castillo L (2004) Outer flow scaling of smooth and rough wall turbulent boundary layers. Exp in Fluids 37:604–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baars WJ, Squire DT, Talluru KM, Abbassi MR, Hutchins N, Marusic I (2016) Wall-drag measurements of smooth- and rough-wall turbulent boundary layers using a floating element. Exp in Fluids 37:604–612

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai H, Alam MM (2018) Dependence of square cylinder wake on Reynolds number. Phys Fluids 30:015102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey SCC, Kopp GA, Martinuzzi RJ (2002) Vortex shedding from a square cylinder near a wall. J Turbul 3(3):1–18

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bergeles G, Athanassiadis N (1983) The flow past a surface-mounted obstacle. J Fluids Eng 105:461–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosch G, Kappler M, Rodi W (1996) Experiments on the flow past a square cylinder placed near a wall. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 13:292–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro IP (1979) Relaxing Wakes Behind Surface-Mounted Obstacles in Rough Wall Boundary Layers. J Fluid Mech 93:631–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalmers H, Fang X, Tachie MF (2021) Streamwise aspect ratio effects on turbulent flow separations induced by forward-backward-facing steps. J Fluids Eng 143:021305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan KA, Monkewitz PA, Nagib HM (2009) Criteria for assessing experiments in zero pressure gradient boundary layers. Fluid Dyn Res 41:021404

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Durão DFG, Heitor MV, Pereira JCF (1988) Measurements of turbulent and periodic flows around a square cross-section cylinder. Exp in Fluids 6:298–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durão DFG, Gouveia PST, Pereira JCF (1991) Velocity characteristics of the flow around a square cross section cylinder placed near a channel wall. Exp in Fluids 11:341–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Essel EE, Tachie MF (2017) Upstream roughness and Reynolds number effects on turbulent flow structure over forward facing step. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 66:226–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Essel EE, Nematollahi A, Thacher EW, Tachie MF (2015) Effects of upstream roughness and Reynolds number on separated and reattached turbulent flow. J Turb 16:872–899

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang X, Tachie MF (2019) Flows over surface-mounted bluff bodies with different spanwise widths submerged in a deep turbulent boundary layer. J Fluid Mech 877:717–758

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Fang X, Tachie MF (2019) On the unsteady characteristics of turbulent separations over a forward-backward-facing step. J Fluid Mech 863:994–1030

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Fang X, Tachie MF (2020) Spatio-temporal dynamics of flow separation induced by a forward-facing step submerged in a thick turbulent boundary layer. J Fluid Mech 892:A40

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Farell C, Carrasquel S, Güven O, Patel VC (1977) Effect of wind-tunnel walls on the flow past circular cylinder and cooling tower models. J Fluids Eng 99(3):470–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flack KA, Schultz M (2014) Roughness effects on wall-bounded turbulent flows. Phys Fluids 26:101305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hearst RJ, Gomit G, Ganapathisubramani B (2016) Effect of turbulence on the wake of a wall-mounted cube. J Fluid Mech 804:513–530

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Kumahor S, Fang X, Tachie MF (2021) Upstream roughness and Reynolds number effects on turbulent flow structure over forward facing step. J Fluids Eng 143:071301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim HC, Castro IP, Hoxey RP (2007) Bluff bodies in deep turbulent boundary layers: Reynolds-number issues. J Fluid Mech 571:97–118

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Martinuzzi RJ, Bailey SCC, Kopp GA (2003) Influence of wall proximity on vortex shedding from a square cylinder. Exp in Fluids 34:585–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minguez M, Brun C, Pasquetti R, Serre E (2011) Experimental and high-order LES analysis of the flow in near-wall region of a square cylinder. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 32:558–566

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nematollahi, A., Nyantekyi-Kwakye., et al. (2017). Experimental study of turbulent boundary layer over different shaped cylinders. The 11th Pacific Symposium on Flow Visualization and Image Processing Kumamoto: 1-3 Japan

  • Nematollahi A, Tachie MF (2018) Time-resolved PIV measurement of influence of upstream roughness on separated and reattached turbulent flows over a forward-facing step. AIP Adv 8:105110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikuradse, J. (1933). Stromungsgesetz in rauhren rohren, VDI Forschungshefte, 361 (English translation: Laws of flow in rough pipes. Technical Report NACA Technical Memorandum 1292) Washington USA

  • Noack BR, Afanasiev K, Morzyński M, Tadmor G, Thiele F (2003) A hierarchy of low-dimensional models for the transient and post-transient cylinder wake. J Fluid Mech 497:335–363

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Norberg C (1993) Flow around rectangular cylinders: Pressure forces and wake frequencies. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 49:187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okajima A (1982) Strouhal numbers of rectangular cylinders. J Fluid Mech 123:379–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panigrahi PK (2009) PIV Investigation of flow behind surface mounted detached square cylinder. J Fluids Eng 131:011202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panigrahi, P. K., & Acharya, S. (1996). Spectral characteristics of separated flow behind a surface-mounted square rib. AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference 96 LA USA

  • Portela FA, Papadakis G, Vassilicos JC (2017) The turbulence cascade in the near wake of a square prism. J Fluid Mech 825:315–352

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Raffel M, Willert CE, Wereley ST, Kompenhans J (2007) Particle Image Velocimetry. Springer

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ranjan P, Dewan A (2017) A PANS study of fluid flow and heat transfer from a square cylinder approaching a plane wall. Int J Thermal Sci 120:321–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riches G, Martinuzzi R, Morton C (2018) Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis of a circular cylinder undergoing vortex-induced vibrations. Phys Fluids 30:105103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rifat SM, Marchildon AL, Tachie MF (2016) Effects of upstream wall roughness on separated turbulent flow over a forward-facing step in an open channel. Int J Mech Mechatron Eng 10(2):250–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Roshko, A. (1954). On the drag and shedding frequency of two-dimensional bluff bodies. Technical Note 3169, National Advisory Commission for Aeronautics, Washington, DC, USA.

  • Saathoff P, Melbourne WH (1999) Effects of freestream turbulence on streamwise pressure measured on a square-section cylinder. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 79:61–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samani M, Bergstrom DJ (2015) Effect of a wall on the wake dynamics of an infinite square cylinder. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 55:158–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Samimy M, Lele SK (1991) Motion of particles with inertia in a compressible free shear layer. Phys Rev Fluids A3(8):1915–1923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherry M, Lo Jacono D, Sheridan J (2010) An experimental investigation of the recirculation zone formed downstream of a forward-facing step. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 98:888–894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi LL, Liu YZ, Wang JJ (2010) Influence of wall proximity on characteristics of wake behind a square cylinder: PIV measurements and POD analysis. Exp Thermal Fluid Sci 34:28–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirovich, L. (1987). Turbulence and the dynamics of coherent structures Parts I, II, and III. Quart Appl Math 45: (561-590

  • Smits AJ, Matheson N, Joubert PN (1983) Low-Reynolds-number turbulent boundary layers in zero and favorable pressure gradients. J Ship Res 27:147–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straatman AG, Martinuzzi RJ (2003) An examination of the effect of boundary layer thickness on vortex shedding from a square cylinder near a wall. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 91:1023–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tachie MF, Bergstrom DJ, Balachandar R (2000) Rough wall turbulent boundary layers in shallow open channel flow. J Fluids Eng 122:533–541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van der Kindere J, Ganapathisubramani B (2018) Effect of length of two-dimensional obstacles on characteristics of separation and reattachment. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 178:38–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Oudheusden BW, Scarano F, Van Hinsberg NP, Watt DW (2005) Phase-resolved characterization of vortex shedding in the near wake of a square-section cylinder at incidence. Exp Fluids 39:86–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XK, Tan SK (2008) Comparison of flow patterns in the near wake of a circular cylinder and a square cylinder placed near a plane wall. Ocean Eng 35:458–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

The financial support from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada and Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to M.F.T. is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    Heath Chalmers, Xingjun Fang, Samuel Addai & Mark F. Tachie

Authors
  1. Heath Chalmers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xingjun Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Samuel Addai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mark F. Tachie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization: MF.T; Methodology: SA, Heath Chalmers, XF, MF. Tachie; Formal analysis and investigation: SA, Heath Chalmers, XF, MF. Tachie; Writing—original draft preparation: SA, Heath Chalmers, X F; Writing—review and editing: SA, Heath Chalmers, XF, MF. Tachie; Funding acquisition: MF.T; Resources: MF.Ta; Supervision: MF. T.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark F. Tachie.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chalmers, H., Fang, X., Addai, S. et al. The effects of wall roughness on the flow dynamics behind a near-wall square cylinder. Exp Fluids 63, 123 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-022-03472-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-022-03472-z

Search

Navigation