Modification and application of low Reynolds number k–ɛ turbulence model to vortex-induced vibration at subcritical Reynolds number range

Abstract

In the study of the cross-flow vortex-induced vibration of the cylinder, it is found that with the increase in the Reynolds number, the upper branch of the vibration amplitude and the lock-in region show an increasing trend. Currently, there are relatively few studies on two-degree-of-freedom VIV at high Reynolds number. In this paper, the Launder and Sharma low Reynolds number k–ɛ turbulence model is modified by limiting the kinetic energy generation term and dissipation term, which is similar with the limiter used in SST k–ω model. Based on the modified turbulence model, the two-degree-of-freedom vortex-induced vibration of the cylinder with different Reynolds numbers is simulated with the two-dimensional RANS method. The accuracy of the improved turbulence model and its applicable Reynolds number range are verified by comparing with experiments and relevant numerical simulations. The effects of Reynolds number on the vibration characteristics of cylinder with low mass damping ratio are discussed, which provide a theoretical reference for the study of vortex-induced vibration under high Reynolds number.