Flow characteristics at low Reynolds number around two in-line circular cylinders with slits

Abstract

This study investigated numerically the characteristics of laminar flow around two identical circular cylinders placed in tandem, with slits of the same width through their respective axis. The center to center distance between the cylinders and the slit orientation were varied to study their effects on the flow structure, lift and drag, and vortex shedding characteristics. It was found that three flow regimes could be distinguished, the transitions between which could be indicated by the sudden changes in drag and lift. Asymmetrically, configured slits destabilized the stagnant region between cylinders; whereas in-line slits connect the two cylinders to act as a single elongated bluff body, even at large cylinder separation, by stabilizing the stagnant region in between. These in turn strongly modified the transition between flow regimes. Vortex shedding was also strongly influenced by both slit configuration and cylinder separation.