Interaction of a Steady Approach Flow and a Circular Cylinder Undergoing Forced Oscillation

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study on the interaction of a steady approach flow and the forced transverse oscillation of a circular cylinder. The two-dimensional stream-function/vorticity formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is solved by a semi-implicit finite-difference scheme. Calculations for flows with different amplitude (a) and frequency (fc) of the oscillation of the cylinder show a strong effect of the oscillation when fc is close to fso, the vortex shedding frequency, of the stationary cylinder. Lock-on of vortex shedding, distinct flow patterns, and increase in both drag and lift coefficients from those of a stationary cylinder are observed for Reynolds number Re = 200, a/R (R is the radius of the cylinder) from 1.0 to 2.0, fc/fso from 0.85 to 1.7. For Re = 855, a/R = 0.26, a large eddy simulation model for turbulent flow is used. The results at Re = 855 and a/R = 0.26 show that lock-on has occurred for fc/fso ≥ 0.85. The behavior of the drag and lift coefficients is seen to be influenced by the lock-on phenomenon.