Experimental and finite-element investigation of flow past single and multiple cylinders

Fluid flows past single and multiple cylinders in different configurations are investigated both experimentally and numerically. Three and five in-line cylinders and in-line and staggered bundles of cylinders with different pitch-to-diameter ratios are considered. Experimental work comprises of laser-Doppler velocimetry and flow visualization obtained in a water tunnel and skin friction, pressure, lift, drag and hot-wire measurements obtained in a wind tunnel. Both steady and pulsed flows are considered. Numerical work consists of finite element analysis of Navier-Stokes and energy equations governing viscous fluid flow past single and multiple cylinders. Detailed measurements of the fluid dynamic quantities for flow past cylinders reveal that flow pulsation at frequencies which induce lock-on increases the organization of the flow in gaps between cylinders. A new pattern of flow field is found for flow past a triad and a pentad of cylinders with a pitch-to-diameter ratio of l.8. The numerical analysis generates important integral characteristics like flow resistance and heat transfer. A staggered square arrangement of finite bundle of cylinders is found to have better heat transfer characteristics compared to the in-line or staggered equilateral-triangular arrangements.