Flow Dynamics around Two Side by Side Circular Cylinders with Alternating Movements

Abstract

The flow dynamics is analyzed through two-dimensional numerical simulations around two circular cylinders arranged side by side, with 4 combinations of alternating motions. All simulations are performed for Re = 1000, amplitude of oscillation (A) equal to 3, frequency ratio (f r ) of 0.5, specific rotation (α) equal to 0.5 and different values of spacing ratio (L/D). It is verified that the combination of the type of movement, together with the position of one cylinder in relation to the other, exerts significant influence on the flow dynamics, as well as on the pressure distribution around the cylinder surface and on the average values of the fluid dynamics coefficients. The smallest value of the average pressure coefficient (C p = −3.3), is obtained for the oscillating cylinder when placed side by side with the clockwise rotation cylinder, case 3 and L/D = 1.5. On the other hand, the lowest mean drag coefficient (C d = 1.0788), is obtained for the cylinder with counterclockwise rotation, located in the lower position in relation to oscillating cylinder in the upper position, with spacing between them of 1.5. Furthermore, it is observed that the rotation movement is more effective in reducing drag than the rotation-oscillation movement, for the studied frequency ratio.