Wakes and vortex streets behind a localized force: Numerical simulations

Two-dimensional wakes behind a body force acting inside a small circular area are investigated using direct numerical simulations. The flows induced by a single force are asymptotically related to the far-field wakes of a bluff body but belong to a wider class of flows because the problem contains an extra control parameter. Stable (almost parallel) wakes as well as regular vortex streets similar to those observed in the wakes of bluff bodies were obtained in our simulations. The behavior of the frequency of vortex shedding in the unstable wakes is described in detail for different values of the main control parameters of the flow, namely the amplitude of the forcing, the velocity of the stream, the size of the forcing area and the kinematic viscosity of fluid. Two different regimes of vortex shedding were observed in the space of these control parameters. Transition between the regimes is characterized by a rapid drop in frequency. The relation between the flows generated by a force and those past a circular cylinder is identified.     

Numerical simulation of vortex induced vibrations and its control by suction and blowing

The vortex formation and shedding behind bluff structures is influenced by fluid flow parameters such as, Reynolds number, surface roughness, turbulence level, etc. and structural parameters such as, mass ratio, frequency ratio, damping ratio, etc. When a structure is flexibly mounted, the Kármán vortex street formed behind the structure gives rise to vortex induced oscillations. The control of these flow induced vibrations is of paramount practical importance for a wide range of designs. An analysis of flow patterns behind these structures would enable better understanding of wake properties and their control. In the present study, flow past a smooth circular cylinder is numerically simulated by coupling the mass, momentum conservation equations along with a dynamical evolution equation for the structure. An active flow control strategy based on zero net mass injection is designed and implemented to assess its efficacy. A three actuator system in the form of suction and blowing slots are positioned on the cylinder surface. A single blowing slot is located on the leeward side of the cylinder, while two suction slots are positioned at an angle α = 100°. This system is found to effectively annihilate the vortex induced oscillations, when the quantum of actuations is about three times the free stream velocity. The dynamic adaptability of the proposed control strategy and its ability to suppress vortex induced oscillations is verified. The exact quantum of actuation involved in wake control is achieved by integrating a control equation to decide the actuator response in the form of a closed loop feed back system. Simulations are extended to high Reynolds number flows by employing eddy viscosity based turbulence models. The three actuator system is found to effectively suppress vortex induced oscillations.     

Numerical exploration of new features on three-dimensional transition of a cylinder wake

The three-dimensional transition of the wake flow behind a circular cylinder is studied in detail by direct numerical simulations using 3D incompressible N-S equations for Reynolds number ranging from 200 to 300. New features and vortex dynamics of the 3D transition of the wake are found and investigated. At Re = 200, the flow pattern is characterized by mode A instability. However, the spanwise characteristic length of the cylinder determines the transition features. Particularly for the specific spanwise charac-     

Simulation of the flow past a circular cylinder using an unsteady panel method

In the present work, an in-house UnSteady Double Wake Model (USDWM) is developed for simulating general flow problems behind bodies. The model is presented and used to simulate flows past a circular cylinder at subcritical, supercritical, and transcritical flows. The flow model is a two-dimensional panel method which uses the unsteady double wake technique to model flow separation and its dynamics. In the present work the separation location is obtained from experimental data and fixed in time. The highly unsteady flow field behind the cylinder is analyzed in detail. The results are compared with experiments and Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) simulations and show good agreement in terms of the vortex shedding characteristics, drag, and pressure coefficients for the different flow regimes.     

Numerical study on viscoelastic fluid flow past a rigid body

Viscoelastic non-Newtonian fluids can be achieved by adding a small amount of polymer additives to a Newtonian fluid. In this paper, numerical simulations are used to investigate the influence of such polymer additives on the behavior of flow past a circular cylinder. A numerical method is proposed that discretizes the non-linear viscoelastic system on a uniform Cartesian grid, with a penalization method to model the presence of the cylinder. The drag of the cylinder and the flow behavior under the effect of different Reynolds numbers ($\mathrm{Re}$), Weissenberg numbers (Wi) and polymer viscosity ratios (ε) are studied. Numerical results show that different flow characteristics are exhibited in different parameter zones. The polymer viscosity ratio plays an important role at low Weissenberg and Reynolds numbers, but as the Reynolds and Weissenberg numbers increase, the influence of ε weakens. The drag force of the cylinder is mostly affected by the Reynolds and Weissenberg numbers. At low Reynolds numbers, the drag of the cylinder and the flow fields are only affected by a large value of Wi when the elastic forces are strong. Non-trivial drag reduction occurs only when there is vortex shedding in the wake flow, whereas drag enhancement happens when the vortex shedding is inhibited.     

Bio-inspired propulsion: Downstream travelling wave motion of a surface with finite & infinite extension

The thrust force on a surface that performs a fish-like travelling wave motion downstream to an oncoming flow is discussed. Unsteady potential flow, with vortex shedding from the trailing edge, is known to explain the generation of thrust. Contrarily, fish swimming has been related to the flow over an infinitely extended surface. To interlink both problems, the potential flow over the surface of finite length is considered in the limit of high wave numbers. It turns out that the leading order, space-periodic pressure does not contribute to thrust. Thus, the perturbation pressure is essential for propulsion. Besides, laminar flow is considered in the space-periodic setting. The present results reveal – in contrast to literature – that the surface force is always drag. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of power-law index on transitional Reynolds numbers for flow over a semi-circular cylinder

In this work, the governing partial differential equations (continuity and Cauchy’s momentum equations) describing the flow of power-law type non-Newtonian fluids across a semi-circular cylinder (oriented with its curved surface in the upstream direction) have been solved numerically. In particular, consideration has been given to the delineation of the critical Reynolds numbers denoting the onset of flow separation from the surface of the cylinder and the onset of the laminar vortex shedding regime. This information is germane to establish the scaling of the macroscopic characteristics like drag coefficient and Strouhal number on the governing parameters, namely, Reynolds number and power-law index. The present results clearly suggest that the transitional Reynolds numbers show a strong dependence on the type (shear-thinning and shear-thickening) of fluid behavior as well as on the severity of the shear-dependence of the viscosity. With reference to the behavior seen in Newtonian fluids, the flow remains not only attached to the surface up to higher Reynolds numbers, but shear-thinning behavior also delays the onset of the laminar vortex shedding regime. As expected, shear-thickening fluids, of course, display the opposite characteristics.     

Streamwise oscillations of a cylinder beneath a free surface: Free surface effects on vortex formation modes

A computational study of a viscous incompressible two-fluid model with an oscillating cylinder is investigated at a Reynolds number of 200 and at a dimensionless displacement amplitude of A=0.13 and for the dimensionless forcing cylinder oscillation frequency-to-natural vortex shedding frequency ratios, f/f₀=1.5,2.5,3.5. Specifically, two-dimensional flow past a circular cylinder subject to forced in-line oscillations beneath a free surface is considered. The method is based on a finite volume discretization of the two-dimensional continuity and unsteady Navier-Stokes equations (when a solid body is present) on a fixed Cartesian grid. Two-fluid model based on improved volume-of-fluid method is used to discretize the free surface interface. The study focuses on the laminar asymmetric flow structure in the near wake region and lock-on phenomena at a Froude number of 0.2 and for the dimensionless cylinder submergence depths, h=0.25, 0.5 and 0.75. The equivorticity patterns and pressure distribution contours are used for the numerical flow visualization. The code validations in special cases show good comparisons with previous numerical results.     

Numerical simulation of laminar flow past a circular cylinder

The present paper focuses on the analysis of two- and three-dimensional flow past a circular cylinder in different laminar flow regimes. In this simulation, an implicit pressure-based finite volume method is used for time-accurate computation of incompressible flow using second order accurate convective flux discretisation schemes. The computation results are validated against measurement data for mean surface pressure, skin friction coefficients, the size and strength of the recirculating wake for the steady flow regime and also for the Strouhal frequency of vortex shedding and the mean and RMS amplitude of the fluctuating aerodynamic coefficients for the unsteady periodic flow regime. The complex three dimensional flow structure of the cylinder wake is also reasonably captured by the present prediction procedure.     

Numerical exploration of new features on three-dimensional transition of a cylinder wake

The three-dimensional transition of the wake flow behind a circular cylinder is studied in detail by direct numerical simulations using 3D incompressible N-S equations for Reynolds number ranging from 200 to 300. New features and vortex dynamics of the 3D transition of the wake are found and investigated. At Re = 200, the flow pattern is characterized by mode A instability. However, the spanwise characteristic length of the cylinder determines the transition features. Particularly for the specific spanwise characteristic length linear stable mode may dominate the wake in place of mode A and determine the spanwise phase difference of the primary vortices shedding. At Re = 250 and 300 it is found that the streamwise vortices evolve into a new type of mode’“dual vortex pair mode” downstream. The streamwise vortex structures switch among mode A, mode B and dual vortex pair mode from near wake to downstream wake. At Re = 250, an independent low frequency f _m in addition to the vortex shedding frequency f _s is identified. Frequency coupling between f _m and f _s occurs. These result in the irregularity of the temporal signals and become a key feature in the transition of the wake. Based on the formation analysis of the streamwise vorticity in the vicinity of cylinder, it is suggested that mode A is caused by the emergence of the spanwise velocity due to three dimensionality of the incoming flow past the cylinder. Energy distribution on various wave numbers and the frequency variation in the wake are also described.     

Electromagnetic interaction of a conducting cylinder with a magnetic dipole caused by steady rotation

The motion of a conductor in a magnetic field induces eddy currents whose interaction with the field produces Lorentz forces opposing the motion. One can determine the velocity of the conductor from the force on the magnet system since the latter is equal but opposite to the Lorentz force on the conductor. This contactless method is known as Lorentz force velocimetry (LFV). We study an idealized configuration of LFV, i.e. a rotating solid cylinder interacting with a point dipole. The understanding of parameter influences in this setup can be helpful for more realistic configurations. We use a purely kinematic approach appropriate for low magnetic Reynolds numbers. Numerical results for small and large distances between dipole and cylinder have been obtained with the commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

速度-涡量法数值求解具有表面吹吸圆柱的绕流问题

用速度-涡量法数值求解了具有表面吹吸圆柱的绕流问题.所得高阶隐式差分方程,采用以修正的不完全LU分解作预处理器的共轭梯度法(MILU-CG),高效解出.研究了雷诺数Re=100时,各种吹吸位置、吹吸强度对圆柱尾流涡旋结构和阻力、升力系数的影响规律.指出,在圆柱肩部的吸气和在圆柱尾部的吹气,可有效地抑制尾流涡旋结构在垂直来流方向上的非对称性,达到减小升力的目的.对在圆柱肩部吸气的情形,合适选择吸气强度,还可有效减小圆柱在来流方向上所受的阻力.     

Stochastic field processes in the mathematical modelling of damped transmission line vibrations

Wind-excited vibrations in the frequency range of 10 to 50 Hz due to vortex shedding often cause fatigue failures in the cables of overhead transmission lines. Damping devices, such as the Stockbridge dampers, have been in use for a long time for supressing these vibrations. The dampers are conveniently modelled by means of their driving point impedance, measured in the lab over the frequency range under consideration. The cables can be modelled as strings with additional small bending stiffness. The main problem in modelling the vibrations does however lay in the aerodynamic forces, which usually are approximated by the forces acting on a rigid cylinder in planar flow. In the present paper, the wind forces are represented by stochastic processes with arbitrary crosscorrelation in space; the case of a Kármán vortex street on a rigid cylinder in planar flow is contained as a limit case in this approach. The authors believe that this new view of the problem may yield useful results, particularly also concerning the reliability of the lines and the probability of fatigue damages.     

Magnetic field effects on Newtonian and non-Newtonian ferrofluid flow past a circular cylinder

The changes in the flow properties under the action of electromagnetic body forces are investigated numerically for ferrofluid flow past a circular cylinder. Ferrofluid is modeled as both a Newtonian and a non-Newtonian Power-Law fluid. Magnetic forces are applied by placing magnets at different locations on the surface of the cylinder. The magnetostatic effects on the structure of the wake region, on drag reduction and on vortex formation length and frequency are shown and compared in terms of Reynolds number, interaction parameter, Power-Law index and magnet location. It is shown that the increase in the interaction parameter reduces drag for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian model. This decrease is observed to be higher for shear thinning and lower for shear thickening fluid compared to Newtonian case. It is also shown that vortex street formation in the wake region behind the cylinder may be delayed under high magnetic effects. The Strouhal number is higher for shear thinning case at both low and high Reynolds numbers, and lower for shear thickening case at high Reynolds numbers, compared to Newtonian fluid. The vortex formation frequency also decreases under the action of the magnetic field in all cases, however the vortex formation length increases. Placing the magnet towards the front region of the cylinder increases considerably the drag coefficient for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian model. This increase in drag coefficient is higher in the shear thinning fluid and lower in the shear thickening fluid compared to the Newtonian case.     

Near-field fluctuations and far-field noise of a three-element airfoil system by a discrete vortex method

A circulation-based discrete vortex method is used on a three-element airfoil system. Kutta conditions and Kelvin’s circulation theorem are additional conditions required for this method to determine the circulation distributions on each element and to determine vortex shedding. Discrete shed vortices are introduced near the four sharp edges to represent the sharp-edge vortex shedding caused by unsteady flow separation. The computational procedure warrants neutrally stable solutions of the self-sustained fluctuating flowfield that can provide broad-band spectral information for far-field noise predictions. The near-field vortex method directly calculates the parameters used in an asymptotic formula for far-field sound computation that attributes the noise sources to vortex interactions among the shed vortices and the surface circulations of the three-element airfoil system. The far-field noise characters are then analyzed and compared to the experimental data in the literature.     

Large-Eddy Simulations of cavitation in a square surface cavity

We report on the development and application of a multiphase approach to the prediction of cavitation induced by high-speed flow over and within a square surface cavity. The approach entails employing a full cavitation model in conjunction with Large-Eddy Simulations in order to capture the initiation and development of bubble formations in turbulent-flow conditions. The incipient formation of the bubble cloud, and the flow processes of vortex shedding and shear-layer oscillations are tracked using the Volume of Fluid method. The validity of the computational approach was assessed by comparisons with experiments on cavitating flow over a hydrofoil. Application to the case of flow over and within a two-dimensional square cavity with cavitation clearly reveal the presence of traveling cavitation at the corner of the cavity trailing edge, and vortex cavitation within the cavity. It is shown that the collapse of cavitation bubbles results in an impact frequency that is higher than the frequency of the shear-layer oscillations. This implies that structural damage due to cavitation is likely to be most severe at the corner formed at the intersection of the cavity’s trailing edge and the flat surface upstream of it.     

电磁力控制下圆柱绕流的涡度拟能

Okubo-Weiss函数与流元的容变、畸变以及涡量相关,可以用来评估流场的涡结构．经该文数学证明,对于边界无滑移的,低Reynolds数的二维不可压缩流动,Okubo-Weiss函数的全流场积分为0．还以电磁控制的圆柱绕流为例,通过数值计算,对该结论进行了验证．根据计算结果,依据Okubo-Weiss函数值,对流场进行了划分,讨论了总涡度拟能、总变形率和Okubo-Weiss函数在流场中的分布规律,以及电磁力对分布的影响．     

An immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method combined with a robust lattice spring model for solving flow–structure interaction problems

An immersed boundary (IB)-lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) combined with a robust lattice spring model (LSM) was developed for modeling fluid–elastic body interactions. To include the effects of viscous flow forces on the deformation of a flexible body, rotational invariant springs were connected regularly inside the deformable body with square lattices. Fluid–solid interactions were due to an additional force density in the lattice Boltzmann equation enhanced by the split-forcing approach. To check the validity and accuracy of the numerical method, the flow over a rigid plate and the deformation of a cantilever beam were investigated. To demonstrate the capability of the new method, different test cases were examined. The deformation of a two-dimensional flexible vertical plate in a laminar cross-flow stream at different conditions was analyzed. The simulations were performed for different boundary conditions imposed on the elastic plate, namely, fixed-end corners and fixed middle point. Different flow conditions such as “steady flow regime”, “vortex shedding flow regime”, and the limit of “rigid body motion” were examined using the new IB-LBM-LSM approach. A general formulation for evaluating the deformation of the elastic body was also introduced, in which the position of the LSM nodes (inside the body) was updated implicitly at each time step. Two dimensionless groups, namely capillary number (Ca) and Reynolds number (Re), were used for parametric study of the behavior of the flow around the deformable plate. It was found that for low Reynolds numbers (Re < 50) and when the middle of the plate was fixed, decreasing the capillary number led to a decrease in the drag coefficient. The fluctuation of the plate during the vortex shedding flow regime was also explored. It was found that when the middle of the plate was fixed, the critical Reynolds number for the initiation of vortex shedding increased. For Re > 100, the Strouhal number was observed to increase with the decrease in capillary number.     

Potential flow past a porous body with a core of different permeability

It is well known that a uniform flow past a non-permeable rigid body does not exert a total force upon the surface of the body, however this is not the case when the body is permeable. Power et. al. (1984, 1986) first solved the problem of uniform potential flow past a two-dimensional permeable circular cylinder, with constant permeability, and found that the exterior flow exerts a drag force upon the surface of the cylinder independent of its size and secondly the problem when the uniform potential flow past a porous sphere, with constant permeability, in this case the exterior flow exerts a drag force on the sphere which is linearly dependent on the radius of the sphere. Here we will present the solution of two problems, a uniform potential flow past a porous circular cylinder and past a porous sphere, for each case the porous body is composed of two materials with different permeabilities. In both cases the total force exerted by the exterior flow upon the body is dependent on the thickness of the porous materials, and in the limit when the two permeabilities are equal, the previous results, circular cylinder and sphere, with constant permeability, are recovered. Atlhough, the mathematics involved in the solution of the present problem is simple, due to the nice boundary geometry of the bodies, the final expression for the total force found in each case is quite interesting on the way it depends on the permeability relation, in particular, in the limiting cases of a porous body with solid or hollow core.