Dynamic analysis on fluid-structure interaction of an elastically mounted square cylinder at low Reynolds numbers

Fluid-structure interaction of an elastically mounted rigid square cylinder of low non-dimensional mass immersed in fluid flow is investigated numerically in the Reynolds numbers range of 60≤Re≤250. The square cylinder is allowed to freely vibrate only in the transverse direction perpendicular to the incoming flow. The two-dimensional incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved by the finite volume method for the fluid flow. The equation of motion is solved for the vibration of the square cylinder. The results show that abrupt both the frequency and amplitude ratios curves experience sudden change at Re=90 and 168, which marks the onset of the lock-in and galloping regime, respectively. Thus, four regimes can be divided in the present study and which are the initial regime, the lock-in regime, the lower branch and galloping regime. A local peak value is observed in the force coefficients curve and the maximum value is reached at Re=231. It is found that the peak oscillating amplitude of the lock-in regime is reached at 0.22D and the width of lock-in region with sharp corner is very narrow. In the galloping regime, the peak amplitude of the oscillating square cylinder is close to 0.70D at Re=231. Typical 2S vortex structure is observed in the initial regime, the lock-in regime, and the lower branch. While in the galloping regime, 2P, 2P+2S and more complicated vortex patterns are observed as Re increases.