Lattice-Boltzmann simulation of two-dimensional flow over two vibrating side-by-side circular cylinders

Abstract

A numerical simulation using the multiple relaxation time lattice-Boltzmann method is carried out for the purpose of investigating fluid flow over two vibrating side-by-side circular cylinders and the effect of moving the cylinders on the wake characteristics. As a benchmark problem to assess the validity and efficiency of the model, the calculation was carried out at Reynolds number of 200 and four pitch ratios (T∕D, where D is the cylinder diameter while T is the center-to-center spacing between the two cylinders) of 1.2, 1.6, 2.2, and 3.2, respectively. The calculated results indicate that the vibration of the cylinder pair has significant influence on the wake patterns. When the amplitude of vibration is big enough, the vibration locks up the vortex shedding and formation. For each cylinder vibration frequency, there exists a threshold of vibration amplitude for the lock-up phenomenon. With the vibration frequency is increased, the threshold of vibration amplitude decreases.