Dynamics of the Tip Vortices in the Wake Behind a Circular Cylinder of Finite Length

Abstract

The dynamics of the tip vortices in the wake behind a wall-mounted finite-length circular cylinder of the aspect ratio 2 was studied experimentally using time resolved stereo PIV technique. The cylinder was mounted normal to a ground plane and it was subjected to a cross-flow with thin boundary layer developed on the wall, the Reynolds number based on inflow velocity and cylinder diameter was 9.7 thousands. The dynamics of tip vortices were analysed using the POD method applied to the plane perpendicular to the flow close to the cylinder. Besides the decaying power spectrum, slower that the Kolmogorov-type one, the two distinct frequencies were detected on Strouhal numbers 0.09 and 0.15. These frequencies could be linked to the vortical structures dynamics in the wake. The frequency Sh = 0.15 corresponds to predominantly spanwise vortices dynamics with anti-symmetrical patterns with respect to the cylinder axis, while the frequency Sh = 0.09 corresponds to mainly streamwise vortical structures dynamics with symmetrical patterns respectively. Thus, the von Kármán vortex street was detected on Strouhal frequency 0.15.