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

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.