Numerical simulations of the flows past two parallel square columns by MPS method

Abstract

Abstract The hydrodynamic interactions between an offshore platform and surrounding water mainly occurs in way of the pile legs, and the flow past the pile legs can be simplified to the flow past the columns. This is the reason why it is of great significance to simulate the flow around multiple columns with accuracy. In this paper, based on a mesh-less method, Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method, the MLParticle-SJTU solver is used to simulate the flow past two parallel square columns. Firstly, the reliability and accuracy of the solver is verified by simulating the Poiseuille flow, in which the no-slip boundary condition is applied. Then, the flow past two parallel square columns with different spacing between the two columns is simulated when the Reynold number is 40. The influence of spacing on flow pattern, force on columns and the vortex shedding frequency is analyzed. It is found that when the spacing is relatively small, small vortices will be attached to the surface of the columns. As the spacing ratio increases, periodic shedding of vortices will occur.