Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gap-flow patterns behind twin-cylinders at low Reynolds number

  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The flow structures, drag coefficients (C d ) and vortex shedding characteristics around a single square cylinder and twin side-by-side square cylinders were experimentally investigated with various Reynolds numbers (Re) and gap ratios (g*) in a vertical water tunnel. The Reynolds number (Re) and gap ratio (g*) were 178 < Re < 892 and 0 ≤ g* ≤ 2.5, respectively. The flow patterns and vortex shedding frequency were determined using the particle tracking flow visualization (PTFV). The flow structures, velocity properties, and drag coefficients were calculated using the particle image velocimetry (PIV). The topological flow patterns of vortex evolution processes were plotted and analyzed based on critical point theory. Furthermore, the flow structures behind twin side-by-side square cylinders were classified into three modes — single vortex-street mode, gap-flow mode and couple vortex-streets mode. The maximum C d occurred in the single vortex-street mode, and the minimum C d occurred in the gap-flow mode. The highest Strouhal number (St) occurred in the single vortex-street mode, and the lowest St occurred in the gap-flow mode.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. M. Zdravkovich, Review of flow interference between two circular cylinders in various arrangements, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 99 (1977) 618–633.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S. Ishigal and E. Nishikawa, Experimental study of structure of gas flow in tube banks with tube axes normal to flow (Part II, On the structure of gas flow in single-column, single-row, and double-row tube banks), Bulletin of the JSME, 18 (1975) 528–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. M. M. Zdravkovich, Flow around Circular Cylinders: A Comprehensive Guide through Flow Phenomena, Experiments, Applications, Mathematical Models, and Computer Simulations, Vol. 1: Fundamentals. Oxford University Press, New York, USA (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  4. C. H. K. Williamson, Evolution of a single wake behind a pair of bluff bodies, J. Fluid Mech., 159 (1985) 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. M. M. Alam, M. Moriya and H. Sakamoto, Aerodynamic characteristics of two side-by-side circular cylinders and application of wavelet analysis on the switching phenomenon, Journal of Fluids and Structures, 18 (2003) 325–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. V. Kolar, D. A. Lyn and W. Rodi, Ensemble-average measurements in the turbulent near wake of the two side-by-side square cylinders, J. Fluid Mech., 346 (1997) 201–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. P. T. Y. Wong, N. W. M. Ko and A. Y. W. Chiu, Flow characteristics around two parallel adjacent square cylinders of different sizes, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 54/55 (1995) 263–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. O. Inoue, W. Iwakami and N. Hatakeyama, Aeolian tones radiated from flow past two square cylinders in a side-byside arrangement, Phys. Fluids, 18 (2006) 046104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. S. C. Yen, K. C. San and T. H. Chuang, Interactions of tandem square cylinders at low Reynolds numbers, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 32 (2008) 927–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. S. Mittal, Computation of three-dimensional flows past circular cylinder of low aspect ratio, Physics of Fluids, 13 (2001) 177–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. K. Lam and L. Zou, Three-dimensional numerical simulations of cross-flow around four cylinders in an in-line square configuration, Journal of Fluids and Structures, 26 (2010) 482–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. G. S. West and C. J. Apelt, The effects of tunnel blockage and aspect ration on the mean flow past a circular cylinder with Reynolds number between 104 and 105, Journal of Fluid Mechanic, 114 (1982) 361–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. R. Mei, Velocity fidelity of flow tracer particles, Exp. Fluids, 22(1) (1996) 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. R. D. Keane and R. J. Adrian, Theory of cross-correlation analysis of PIV images, Applied Scientific Research, 49(2) (1992) 191–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. R. D. Keane and R. J. Adrian, Optimization of particle image velocimeters (Part I: Double pulsed systems), Measurement Science and Technology, 1(11) (1990) 1202–1215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. R. B. Abernethy, R. P. Benedict and R. B. Dowdell, ASME measurement uncertainty, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 107(2) (1985) 161–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. R. J. Adrian, Laser Velocimetry, Fluid Mechanics Measurements, 2nd ed., Ed. Goldstein, R. J., Taylor & Francis, Washington DC (1996) 175–299.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. P. B. Bearman and D. M. Trueman, An investigation of the flow around rectangular cylinders, Aero. Quart, 23 (1972) 229–237.

    Google Scholar 

  20. H. Coanda, Device for deflecting a stream of elastic fluid projected into an elastic fluid, United States Patent Office (1936) 2052869.

  21. B. G. Newman, The deflection of plane jets by adjacent boundaries-Coanda effect, Boundary Layer and Flow Control: Its Principles and Application, Vol. 1, Ed. Lachmann, G. V., Pergamon Press, New York (1961) 232–264.

    Google Scholar 

  22. S. C. Yen and J. H. Liu, Wake flow behind two side-byside square cylinders, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 32 (2011) 41–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. M. J. Lighthill, Laminar Boundary Layers, Oxford University Press, Cambridge (1963) 48–88.

    Google Scholar 

  24. A. E. Perry and B. D. Fairlie, Critical points in flow patterns, Advances in Geophysics B, 18 (1974) 299–315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. M. S. Chong and A. E. A. Perry, General classification of three-dimensional flow fields, Physics of Fluids A, 2(5) (1990) 765–777.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  26. A. E. Perry and T. R. Steiner, Large-scale vortex structures in turbulent wakes behind bluff bodies (Part 1. Vortex formation), J. Fluid Mech., 174(1) (1987) 233–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. C. Madeleine and P. Gerard, Some type mechanisms in the early phase of the vortex-shedding process from particlestreak visualization, Atlas of Visualization, Vol. III, Ed. Y. Nakagama and Y. Tanida, CRC Press, Boca Raton (1997) 43.

    Google Scholar 

  28. R. Josef, The topology of separating and reattaching vortical flows, High Angle of Attack Aerodynamics: Subsonic, Transonic, and Supersonic Flows, Springer-Verlag, New York, USA (1992) 62.

    Google Scholar 

  29. J. C. R. Hunt, C. J. Abell, J. A. Peterka and H. Woo, Kinematical studies of the flows around free or surface-mounted obstacles; applying topology to flow visualization, J. Fluid Mech., 86(1) (1978) 179–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. M. F. Unal, J. C. Lin and D. Rockwell, Force prediction by PIV imaging: A momentum based approach, J. Fluids Struct., 11 (1997) 965–971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. A. Okajima, Numerical analysis of the flow around an oscillating cylinder, Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Flow-Induced Vibration, Ed. Bearmen, P. W., London, UK, Balkema, Rotterdam (1995) 1–7.

  32. A. Sohankar, C. Norberg and L. Davidson, Numerical simulation of unsteady flow around a rectangular two-dimensional cylinder at incidence, Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 69 (1997) 189201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung, Taiwan, 202, R.O.C.

    Shun Chang Yen & Chien Ting Liu

Authors
  1. Shun Chang Yen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chien Ting Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shun Chang Yen.

Additional information

This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Simon Song

Shun Chang Yen, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Department in National Taiwan Ocean University, Taiwan, received his B.S. degree from Chinese Air Force Academy in 1992 and Mechanical Engineering M.S./Ph.D of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan in 1998 and 2003. His researches cover fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, combustion technology, chemically reacting flows and related fields.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yen, S.C., Liu, C.T. Gap-flow patterns behind twin-cylinders at low Reynolds number. J Mech Sci Technol 25, 2795–2803 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-011-0908-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-011-0908-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation