Wake-Induced Vibration (WIV) of Two Tandem Pre-Tensioned Flexible Cylinders

Abstract

It is believed that investigations on flow around pairs of cylinders can provide a better understanding of the interference effects than the cases involving larger numbers of cylinders. Studies that deal with the dynamic responses of multiple flexible cylinders with low mass ratios and high aspect ratios are few because of the complexities in the responses. In this paper, the effects of wake interference on the dynamic responses of two pre-tensioned flexible cylinders in tandem arrangement subjected to uniform cross-flow are investigated. The analysis results of the tandem cylinders are presented and compared with an isolated flexible cylinder. Two flexible cylinders of the same size, properties, and pretensions were tested at four different centre-to-centre separation distances, namely, 2.75, 5.5, 8.25 and 11 diameters. Reynolds number range is from 1400 to 20000 (subcritical regime). The aspect ratio of the cylinders is 162 (length over diameter). Mass ratio (cylinders mass over displaced water) is 1.17. The amplitude ratio of the CF vibration of the downstream cylinder, IL deflections of both cylinders, frequency responses in both CF and inline (IL) directions were analyzed. For all the examined separation distances, the downstream cylinder does not show build-up of upper branch (within the lock-in region of the classical VIV of the isolated cylinder). The initial distance between the tandem cylinders cannot remain constant. The distance decreases with reduced velocity because of the unequal IL deflection of tandem cylinders. From the CF frequency response of the lift (transverse) force of downstream cylinder, the highest vibration amplitude at all the separation distances occurs whenever their frequencies transitioned into second modal value. The frequency responses of the upstream cylinder cannot be greatly affected by the downstream cylinder even for small separations in contrast to the downstream cylinder.