VORTEX SHEDDING OF BLUFF BODIES: A REVIEW

In this paper the various types of vortex generation and the related response characteristics of bluff bodies are described. The vortices are, in general, generated by a certain stimulation, leading to one- or two-shear layer instability; the related unsteady forces could excite flexible structures such as tall towers, tall buildings and long-span bridges. Karman vortex shedding is well known as the alternate shedding vortex behind bluff bodies, but the one-shear layer instability related vortices and symmetrical vortex shedding should also be taken into account as additional mechanisms for the evaluation of structural safety, because they result in structural response at comparatively low wind speeds. In this paper, the symmetrical vortex shedding, which is enhanced by the longitudinally fluctuating flow for 2-D rectangular cylinders with a 0.5 side ratio, and one-shear layer related vortices, which are generated on the side surfaces of flat 2-D rectangular cylinders and many bridge girder box sections by the stimulation of body motion or applied sound, are introduced. Furthermore, as a peculiar 3-D vortex, the “axial vortex”, which is formed in near wake of inclined cables and then over restricted velocity ranges, is also discussed.