Numerical simulation of vortex induced vibration of cylinders with flexible splitter plates

Vortex induced vibration (VIV) of circular and square cylinders with flexible splitter plates is studied at low Reynolds numbers. Finite element based flow and structure solvers, coupled using a partitioned approach, are used for simulating the fluid-structure interaction. Effect of flexibility of an attached flexible plate on its ability to suppress the VIV of a circular cylinder is considered. Flexibility of the plate is found to adversely affect the reduction in amplitude of the vibration of the cylinder. Next, flow past two square cylinders with deformable splitter plates placed side-by-side is considered. Vibration response of the two plates is studied for different values of flexibility. Initially, the plates vibrate out-of-phase with each other, but eventually settle for an in-phase fully developed response. Large amplitude of vibrations in the fully developed response is observed when its dominant frequency is close to the first natural frequency of the plate vibrations.