Vortex shedding from an impulsively started rotating and translating circular cylinder

Abstract

A numerical study is made of the flow past an impulsively started rotating and translating circular cylinder using a hybrid vortex method. The Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 103 to 106 while the (counter-rotating) rotating-to-translating speed ratio (α) is increased from 0 to 2. It is found that three basic patterns of vortex shedding can be identified according to the behaviour of the stagnation points associated with the first upper and the first lower vortices. Depending on the parameters Re and α, the rotation may favour the shedding of the first upper vortex, or the first lower vortex (typically at high Reynolds numbers). In a transition region, strong competition for shedding exists between the first two vortices in the form of double transposition of stagnation (closure) points associated with the two vortices. Time variations of lift coefficients characterize different shedding patterns; the cylinder may first experience a substantial maximal downward lift when the first shedding vortex is from the upper wake, or a maximal upward lift otherwise.