Influence of magnetically-induced nonlinear added stiffness on the lift galloping of square cylinders at low Reynolds number

Abstract

A square cylinder may gallop if subjected to fluid flow, experiencing a self-excited vibration mode that can harvest energy for low-power applications. The harvested power is typically low and depends on the upstream flow velocity and system dynamic parameters. In this study, the influence of nonlinear stiffness induced by two repulsive magnetic poles on the galloping response of square rods is investigated at a mass ratio of 10 and a Reynolds number of 200. The vibration response of two identical coaxial square rods with magnetic poles attached to their opposite ends is analyzed. Two simplified configurations are selected to model the magnetic forces: a pair of identical monopoles and a pair of identical dipoles. Results show that the magnet configuration and strength significantly affect the vibration amplitude and the onset flow velocity. A weak magnetic force can enhance vibration and reduce onset flow velocity, while a stronger pair of dipoles may push the bistable system to a state of low-amplitude vibration with a mean displacement. The influence of magnets in this configuration has potential as a control technique for energy harvesting applications.