Three-dimensional vortex-induced vibrations of a circular cylinder predicted using a wake oscillator model

Abstract

This paper reports a numerical study based on a wake oscillator model, to determine the three-dimensional vortex-induced vibration (VIV) responses on a flexible cylinder with pinned-pinned boundary conditions subjected to a uniform flow. Four different aspect ratios have been selected for the study. The coupling equations of the structural oscillator models and wake oscillator models in both the cross-flow (CF) and in-line (IL) directions have been solved using a standard central difference method of the second order. The structural displacement, structural frequency, response wave pattern, response trajectory, and lift force coefficient, for four aspect ratios, have been compared. The numerical results establish that, for a small aspect ratio, the CF displacements have absolute standing wave behaviors without travelling wave behaviors, and the IL displacements have dominant standing wave behaviors with slight travelling wave behaviors. Further, the VIV trajectory is repeatable and displays figure-eight shapes. However, for a large aspect ratio, the CF displacements display identical characteristics with the IL displacements for a small aspect ratio, and the IL displacements for a large aspect ratio are simultaneously dominated by standing and travelling wave behaviors. Moreover, the VIV trajectory is apparently aperiodic and shows chaotic shapes.