Numerical simulations of flow characteristics of two side-by-side square cylinders with connected splitters

Abstract

The influence of splitters on the flow structure mechanism around two side-by-side square cylinders with connected splitters at downstream position has been investigated in this article using lattice Boltzmann method at a fixed Reynolds number of 150. The normalized distance between the two cylinders is varied from 0.5 to 5 (e.g., 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5), and the normalized length of the connected splitters is varied from 1 to 4 with an increment of 0.5 (e.g., 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4). For varying spacing ratios and length of splitters, the flow structure has been characterized into single bluff body, flip-flopping, in-phase non-synchronized, and anti-phase synchronized flow pattern. Changing the length of the splitters influences force statistics like the mean drag coefficient and the Strouhal number, which are examined in this study as well. The mean drag coefficients and Strouhal numbers of two side-by-side square cylinders with splitters are compared to the data of two side-by-side square cylinders without splitters, and it is observed that these forces did not always reduce and that in some cases, accession rather than reduction may happen. The computational and experimental results of other researchers are compared to the current observed flow patterns, and good agreement is found.