Two circular cylinders in cross-flow: A review

• Published in: Journal of fluids and structures Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 849 - 899
• Main Author: Sumner, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerodynamic forces; Aerodynamics; Bluff body; Circular cylinder; Circular cylinders; Computational fluid dynamics; Cylinder groups; Cylinders; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical models; Physics; Rotational flow and vorticity; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; Vortex shedding; Wake interference; Wakes; Circular cylinder; Vortex shedding; Cylinder groups; Bluff body; Wake interference; Reynolds number; Strouhal number; Steady flow; Aerodynamic force; Crossflow; Spacing; Experimental study; Staggered arrangement; Infinite medium; Near wake
• ISSN: 0889-9746; 1095-8622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2010.07.001

Pairs of circular cylinders immersed in a steady cross-flow are encountered in many engineering applications. The cylinders may be arranged in tandem, side-by-side, or staggered configurations. Wake and proximity interference effects, which are determined primarily by the longitudinal and transverse spacing between the cylinders, and also by the Reynolds number, have a strong influence on the flow patterns, aerodynamic forces, vortex shedding, and other parameters. This paper reviews the current understanding of the flow around two “infinite” circular cylinders of equal diameter immersed in a steady cross-flow, with a focus on the near-wake flow patterns, Reynolds number effects, intermediate wake structure and behaviour, and the general trends in the measurements of the aerodynamic force coefficients and Strouhal numbers. A primary focus is on the key experimental and numerical studies that have appeared since the last major review of this subject more than 20 years ago.