Abstract
In this paper, numerical simulations of flow past four square-arranged cylinders are carried out at different spacing ratios (1.5≤L/D≤5.0; L is the center to center distance; D is the cylinder diameter) and Reynolds numbers (100≤Re≤1000). The effects of spacing ratio and Reynolds number on the wake flow characteristics are investigated, such as the instantaneous vorticity contours, force coefficients, and vortex shedding frequencies. The results show that the flow characteristics behind the four-cylinder cases are significantly affected by the spacing ratios and Reynolds numbers. At the same spacing ratio, the transformation of flow pattern is advanced quickly with increasing of Reynolds numbers, the values of force coefficients are correspondingly fluctuated with large amplitude, and the vortex shedding frequency is increased significantly with Re.
Highlights
Investigation of unsteady viscous flow past a single or array of circular cylinders is of great interest for many ocean and offshore engineering applications
The results show that the flow characteristics behind the four-cylinder cases are significantly affected by the spacing ratios and Reynolds numbers
Numerical simulation on flow around four square-arranged cylinders is carried out to investigate the effect of Reynolds number and spacing ratio on wake flow structures
Summary
Investigation of unsteady viscous flow past a single or array of circular cylinders is of great interest for many ocean and offshore engineering applications. Compared to an isolated single cylinder, it is more difficult to predict flow around multicylinder configurations, depending on the geometric parameters such as spacing ratio between the cylinders L/D (L is the center-center distance between cylinders, and D is the cylinder diameter) and the incidence angle α relative to the free-stream flow. Few investigations are performed to reveal the flow dynamics of a four-square-arranged cylinder configuration, which is essential for various marine structures as a fundamental arrangement. Four square-arranged cylinders could be found in many offshore engineering applications, such the pile foundation system of offshore platforms and offshore wind turbine, risers, and pipelines. The numerical simulation was carried out to investigate the flow characteristics of flow past four square-arranged cylinders
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