Predictions for combined In-Line and Cross-Flow VIV responses with a novel model for estimation of tension

Abstract

The dynamic responses of slender cylinders with high aspect ratios undergoing vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) are studied. In detail, a three-dimensional model predicting the VIV responses in both the In-Line and Cross-Flow directions of slender cylinders is proposed based on the nonlinear equation governing the dynamic deformation and a wake oscillator. The tension in the cylinder is estimated according to the incoming stream velocities. To predict the VIV responses, the cylinder is discretized into finite segments, and the vibrations of each segment are estimated from solving the governing equation when the excitation forces are modelled using the Van Der Pol's wake oscillator. Considering that the wake oscillator model estimates the excitation forces according to the dynamics of the cylinder, it reveals the interactions between the flow and the dynamics of the cylinder. In order to verify the model calculating the mean tension, the VIV responses, which has been experimentally tested, is numerically studied. The comparison between the numerically predicted and experimentally measured responses shows that, the approach, especially the novel tension model, proposed herein is reliable as the frequency of vibrations, dominant mode number and vibration amplitude are all in good agreement with the experimental measurements and results from peer-reviewed publications.