Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of sinusoidal vertical gust on the pressure distributions on and flow structures around a rectangular cylinder

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

Abstract

The effects of turbulence on separated and reattaching flows around rectangular cylinders have been extensively studied. However, less knowledge exists regarding the effects of oscillatory gusts on separated and reattaching flows. In this paper, the surface pressures on and the flow structures around a 5:1 rectangular cylinder under the effects of sinusoidal vertical gusts in separated and reattaching flows are studied through wind tunnel experiments by pressure and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The results show that the effects of gust amplitudes are more pronounced than those of reduced gust frequencies. As the gust amplitude increases, the maximum of the RMS pressure coefficient (\(\tilde{C}_{p}\)) increases and the size of the separation bubble reduces remarkably. Additionally, the dominant spanwise correlated regions on the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinder become broader at different attack angles. The analysis of the pressure measurements demonstrates that the pressure fluctuations are mainly generated from the periodic oscillations of gust velocities, which makes the maximum of \(\tilde{C}_{p}\) insensitive to the change of attack angle. Meanwhile, the interactions between the pressure fields excited by gusts and separated and reattaching flows may result in relatively smaller maximums of \(\tilde{C}_{p}\) on the upper surface in the sinusoidal vertical gusts compared with those on the lower surface at large attack angles. The PIV measurement results show that the turbulent kinetic energy increases under the effects of sinusoidal vertical gust. In addition, the impingement of shear layers and the vortex swirling strength become more intense with the increased gust amplitude.

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
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akon AF, Kopp GA (2016) Mean pressure distributions and reattachment lengths for roof-separation bubbles on low-rise buildings. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 155:115–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bearman PW, Morel T (1983) Effect of free stream turbulence on the flow around bluff bodies. Prog Aerosp Sci 20(2–3):97–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno L, Fransos D, Coste N, Bosco A (2010) 3D flow around a rectangular cylinder: a computational study. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 98(6–7):263–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno L, Salvetti MV, Ricciardelli F (2014) Benchmark on the aerodynamics of a rectangular 5:1 cylinder: an overview after the first four years of activity. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 126:87–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmo BS, Sherwin SJ, Bearman PW, Willden RHJ (2011) Flow-induced vibration of a circular cylinder subjected to wake interference at low Reynolds number. J Fluids Struct 27(4):503–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen G, Chen W, Gao D, Yang Z (2021) Active control of flow structure and unsteady aerodynamic force of box girder with leading-edge suction and trailing-edge jet. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 120:110244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen WL, Huang YW, Meng H (2020) Wake-induced vibration of a suspender cable in the rear of a bridge tower. J Fluids Struct 99:103166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Li H, Hu H (2014) An experimental study on the unsteady vortices and turbulent flow structures around twin-box-girder bridge deck models with different gap ratios. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 132:27–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordes U, Kampers G, Meißner T, Tropea C, Peinke J, Hölling M (2017) Note on the limitations of the Theodorsen and Sears functions. J Fluid Mech. 811:R1

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Corkery SJ, Babinsky H, Harvey JK (2018) On the development and early observations from a towing tank-based transverse wing-gust encounter test rig. Exp Fluids 59(9):135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cherry NJ, Hillier R, Latour MEMP (1983) The unsteady structure of two-dimensional separated-and-reattaching flows. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 11(1–3):95–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan G, Laima S, Chen W, Li H (2020) Effects of leading-edge separation on the vortex-shedding and aerodynamic characteristics of an elongated bluff body. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 206:104356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez F, Cleaver D, Gursul I (2021) Unsteady aerodynamics of a wing in a novel small-amplitude transverse gust generator. Exp Fluids 62(1):1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao D, Chen W, Li H, Hu H (2017) Flow around a circular cylinder with slit. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 82:287–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glegg SA (1999) The response of a swept blade row to a three-dimensional gust. J Sound Vib 227(1):29–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jancauskas ED, Melbourne WH (1986) The aerodynamic admittance of two-dimensional rectangular section cylinders in smooth flow. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 23(1–3):395–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He Y, Liang Q, Li Z, Fu J, Wu J, Deng T (2019) Accurate estimation of tube-induced distortion effects on wind pressure measurements. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 188:260–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillier R, Cherry NJ (1981) The effects of stream turbulence on separation bubbles. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 8(1–2):49–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irwin PA (2008) Bluff body aerodynamics in wind engineering. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 96(6):701–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Li M, Sun Y (2021a) Effects of turbulence integral scale on the buffeting response of a long-span suspension bridge. J Sound Vib 490:115721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Li M, Zhong Y, Luo N (2019) Buffeting response evaluation of long-span bridges with emphasis on the three-dimensional effects of gusty winds. J Sound Vib 439:156–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Li M, Yang Y (2020) Strategy for the determination of unsteady aerodynamic forces on elongated bodies in grid-generated turbulent flow. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 110:109939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Li QS, Shi H (2021b) Aerodynamic pressures on a 5:1 rectangular cylinder in sinusoidal streamwise oscillatory flows with non-zero mean velocities. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 208:104440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QS, Melbourne WH (1995) An experimental investigation of the effects of freestream turbulence on streamwise surface pressures in separated and reattaching flows. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 54:313–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li QS, Melbourne WH (1999) The effect of large-scale turbulence on pressure fluctuations in separated and reattaching flows. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 83(1):159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma R, Yang Y, Li M, Li QS (2021) The unsteady lift of an oscillating airfoil encountering a sinusoidal streamwise gust. J Fluid Mech 908:A22

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Mannini C, Marra AM, Pigolotti L, Bartoli G (2017) The effects of free-stream turbulence and angle of attack on the aerodynamics of a cylinder with rectangular 5:1 cross section. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 161:42–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariotti A, Salvetti MV, Omrani PS, Witteveen JAS (2016) Stochastic analysis of the impact of freestream conditions on the aerodynamics of a rectangular 5:1 cylinder. Comput Fluids 136:170–192

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y, Ohya Y, Ozono S (1988) The effects of turbulence on bluff-body mean flow. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 28(1–3):251–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y, Ohya Y, Tsuruta H (1991) Experiments on vortex-shedding from flat plates with square leading and trailing-edges. J Fluid Mech 222:437–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura Y, Ozono S (1987) The effects of turbulence on a separated and reattaching flow. J Fluid Mech 178:477–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patruno L, Ricci M, de Miranda S, Ubertini F (2016) Numerical simulation of a 5:1 rectangular cylinder at non-null angles of attack. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 151:146–157

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Perrotta G, Jones AR (2017) Unsteady forcing on a flat-plate wing in large transverse gusts. Exp Fluids 58(8):101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ram HG, Arakeri VH (1990) Studies on unsteady pressure fields in the region of separating and reattaching flows. J Fluids Eng 112(4):402–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribner HS (1956) Spectral theory of buffeting and gust response: unification and extension. J Aerosol Sci 23(12):1075–1077

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Ricci M, Patruno L, de Miranda S, Ubertini F (2017) Flow field around a 5:1 rectangular cylinder using LES: Influence of inflow turbulence conditions, spanwise domain size and their interaction. Comput Fluids 149:181–193

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Saathoff PJ, Melbourne WH (1989) The generation of peak pressures in separated/reattaching flows. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 32(1–2):121–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanz-Andres A, Navarro-Medina F (2010) The initiation of rotational motion of a lying object caused by wind gusts. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 98(12):772–783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shu Z, Li QS (2017) An experimental investigation of surface pressures in separated and reattaching flows: effects of freestream turbulence and leading-edge geometry. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 165:58–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shu Z, Li QS (2019) Wind tunnel study of separated and reattaching flows by particle image velocimetry and pressure measurements. Adv Struct Eng 22(7):1769–1782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y, Li M, Li M, Liao H (2019) Spanwise correlation of vortex-induced forces on typical bluff bodies. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 189:186–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor ZJ, Gurka R, Kopp GA (2014) Effects of leading edge geometry on the vortex shedding frequency of an elongated bluff body at high Reynolds numbers. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 128:66–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Q, Gan L, Xu S, Zhou Y (2020) Vortex evolution in the near wake behind polygonal cylinders. Exp Therm Fluid Sci 110:109940

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu B, Li S, Cao S, Yang Q, Zhang L (2020a) Numerical investigation of the separated and reattaching flow over a 5:1 rectangular cylinder in streamwise sinusoidal flow. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 198:104120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu B, Li S, Li K, Yang Q, Zhang L, Qian G (2020b) Large-eddy simulation of the near wake of a 5:1 rectangular cylinder in oscillating flows at Re=670. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 196:104050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y, Li M, Ma C, Li S (2017) Experimental investigation on the unsteady lift of an airfoil in a sinusoidal streamwise gust. Phys Fluids 29(5):051703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J, Adrian RJ, Balachandar S, Kendall TM (1999) Mechanisms for generating coherent packets of hairpin vortices in channel flow. J Fluid Mech 387:353–396

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu G, Huang S, Li QS (2020) Large-eddy simulation of the inflow turbulence transport and aerodynamics of a rectangular 5:1 cylinder with high-order numerical methods. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn 207:104366

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work described in this paper was fully supported by grants from the Fundamental Research Program of Shenzhen Municipality (Project No: JCYJ20160608153749600, JCYJ20170818094653701).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Ming Li, Qiusheng Li & Haoyun Shi

  2. Architecture and Civil Engineering Research Center, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China

    Qiusheng Li

Authors
  1. Ming Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qiusheng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Haoyun Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qiusheng Li.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

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

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, M., Li, Q. & Shi, H. Effect of sinusoidal vertical gust on the pressure distributions on and flow structures around a rectangular cylinder. Exp Fluids 62, 148 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-021-03192-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-021-03192-w

Search

Navigation