Experimental investigation of flow fields around a vibrating body using PIV
Loading...
Date
2025-06-18
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding how structural vibrations affect the flow around bluff bodies, especially given their relevance in areas such as energy harvesting and flow control. One of the most effective tools for capturing such complex flow behaviours is Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), which provides detailed insight into velocity fields and wake structures. However, the precise influence of body oscillation on wake dynamics, vortex shedding, and flow symmetry still requires deeper investigation.
This study explores the flow field around a vibrating cylinder using a stereoscopic PIV system in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Measurements were taken at different freestream velocities, comparing the flow characteristics of both fixed and oscillating configurations. Supporting this, high-speed video analysis was used to track the vibration response of the cylinder and extract frequency and amplitude data.
The results show that when the cylinder is allowed to oscillate, the wake becomes noticeably broader and more asymmetric compared to the fixed case. Vortex shedding loses its regularity, and the velocity profiles recover more slowly downstream. A clear lock-in region was observed between 10 and 12 m/s, where the flow frequency matched the structural vibration, leading to a sharp rise in amplitude. These findings are consistent with classical flow-induced vibration theory and highlight how structural motion can reshape aerodynamic behaviour.
Overall, this work offers valuable insight into the interaction between vibrating structures and surrounding flow, with potential applications in vibration control, sensing, and renewable energy systems.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding how structural vibrations affect the flow around bluff bodies, especially given their relevance in areas such as energy harvesting and flow control. One of the most effective tools for capturing such complex flow behaviours is Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), which provides detailed insight into velocity fields and wake structures. However, the precise influence of body oscillation on wake dynamics, vortex shedding, and flow symmetry still requires deeper investigation. This study explores the flow field around a vibrating cylinder using a stereoscopic PIV system in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Measurements were taken at different freestream velocities, comparing the flow characteristics of both fixed and oscillating configurations. Supporting this, high-speed video analysis was used to track the vibration response of the cylinder and extract frequency and amplitude data. The results show that when the cylinder is allowed to oscillate, the wake becomes noticeably broader and more asymmetric compared to the fixed case. Vortex shedding loses its regularity, and the velocity profiles recover more slowly downstream. A clear lock-in region was observed between 10 and 12 m/s, where the flow frequency matched the structural vibration, leading to a sharp rise in amplitude. These findings are consistent with classical flow-induced vibration theory and highlight how structural motion can reshape aerodynamic behaviour. Overall, this work offers valuable insight into the interaction between vibrating structures and surrounding flow, with potential applications in vibration control, sensing, and renewable energy systems.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in understanding how structural vibrations affect the flow around bluff bodies, especially given their relevance in areas such as energy harvesting and flow control. One of the most effective tools for capturing such complex flow behaviours is Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), which provides detailed insight into velocity fields and wake structures. However, the precise influence of body oscillation on wake dynamics, vortex shedding, and flow symmetry still requires deeper investigation. This study explores the flow field around a vibrating cylinder using a stereoscopic PIV system in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Measurements were taken at different freestream velocities, comparing the flow characteristics of both fixed and oscillating configurations. Supporting this, high-speed video analysis was used to track the vibration response of the cylinder and extract frequency and amplitude data. The results show that when the cylinder is allowed to oscillate, the wake becomes noticeably broader and more asymmetric compared to the fixed case. Vortex shedding loses its regularity, and the velocity profiles recover more slowly downstream. A clear lock-in region was observed between 10 and 12 m/s, where the flow frequency matched the structural vibration, leading to a sharp rise in amplitude. These findings are consistent with classical flow-induced vibration theory and highlight how structural motion can reshape aerodynamic behaviour. Overall, this work offers valuable insight into the interaction between vibrating structures and surrounding flow, with potential applications in vibration control, sensing, and renewable energy systems.
Description
Subject(s)
Flow-induced vibration, bluff body, vortex shedding, wake flow, lock-in, circular cylinder, Particle Image Velocimetry, stereoscopic PIV, wind tunnel, fluid-structure interaction