Numerical study on vortex-induced vibrations of a flexible cylinder subjected to multi-directional flows

Abstract

Vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of a flexible cylinder subjected to multi-directional flows have been studied based on a wake oscillator model. The multi-directional flow comprises two slabs of flows in different directions, with each slab having a uniform uni-directional profile. The dynamics of the flexible cylinder is described based on the linear Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, and a wake oscillator model is uniformly distributed along the cylinder to model the hydrodynamic force acting on it. The dynamics of the coupled system has been solved numerically using the finite element method, and simulations have been conducted with the cylinder subjected to multi-directional flows with different angles between the two slabs. A large number of different initial conditions have been applied, and more than one steady-state response has been captured. The steady-state responses exhibit two different patterns: one is characterized by two waves traveling in opposite directions, while the other is dominated by a single traveling wave. The cross-flow VIV primarily occurs in the local cross-flow direction, and a transition of its vibrating direction happens at the interface of the two flows. Such transition is not observed in the inline VIV, and significant vibrations at the double frequency appear in both local cross-flow and inline directions. Energy analysis shows that this transition is boosted by a specific energy transfer pattern between the structure and the flow, which excites the vibration of the cylinder in some directions while damps it in others.