Numerical Simulation and Experiments of Flow-Induced Oscillations of Single-Cylinder With Large Passive Turbulence Control

Abstract Passive turbulence control (PTC) is being used in the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory (MRELab) of the University of Michigan to enhance flow induced oscillations (FIO) of cylinders in the VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibration for Aquatic Clean Energy) Converter. Large PTC triggers VIV and galloping at lower flow speeds for energy harvesting. Currently, FIO of cylinders with large PTC for high Re has received limited attention and, particularly, the effect of variable PTC height on FIO of cylinders. The vast majority of ocean currents, rivers, and tides are too slow for Marine Hydro Kinetic (MHK) energy technologies to harness it. In order to enhance FIO and to initiate galloping earlier, a circular cylinder is geometrically modified using straight strips placed on the cylinder surface symmetrically PTC strips on the cylinder effectively change the flow properties. In the present study, the FIO of a single-cylinder with large PTC, on end linear-springs, is modelled and simulated using a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) code. Results are verified by corresponding experimental data. Results show that VIV onset occurs at lower Re for large-PTC cylinder in comparison with lower-PTC cylinder. Contrary to smooth cylinders for which the amplitude ratio is small in the transition region between VIV and galloping, application of large PTC leads to high amplitude response in the transition region. The mechanism behind this observation is the further departure of the geometry from the smooth circular cylinder. The latter does not exhibit galloping due to flow and geometric symmetry in all directions. Moreover, in the galloping region, the amplitude ratio increases with the height of PTC. Earlier onset of galloping and enhancement of geometric asymmetry support this observation as well.