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The ‘void’ structure in the wake of a self-oscillating flexible circular cylinder

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Abstract

We discuss the experimental vortex wake of a flexible circular cylinder undergoing vortex-induced vibration at low Reynolds number and a large cylinder aspect ratio. Hydrogen bubbles formed on the cylinder track the von Karman vortex cores. They show a characteristic ‘void’ structure. We propose a vortex skeleton model that includes a pinch-off of opposite-signed cores. Voids occurred at a node in streamwise vibration when close to an antinode in transverse cylinder vibration. A vibration model predicts the ratio of shedding frequency to natural cylinder vibration frequency necessary for void formation at specific spanwise locations.

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Acknowledgments

For the cylinder vibration project, Cessco Fabrication and Engineering Ltd, Andrew Coward, Terry Nord, and Bernie Faulkner are gratefully acknowledged for their support. Special thanks to Charles Williamson for suggesting cylinder surface irregularities might serve as a perturbation as well as other conversation and Ryan Tucker for his design of flexible wire support with controllable tension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vortex Fluid Dynamics Lab, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Stuart Gilbert & Lorenz Sigurdson

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  1. Stuart Gilbert
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  2. Lorenz Sigurdson
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Correspondence to Lorenz Sigurdson.

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Gilbert, S., Sigurdson, L. The ‘void’ structure in the wake of a self-oscillating flexible circular cylinder. Exp Fluids 48, 461–471 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-009-0744-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-009-0744-0

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