Flow Structures around a Square Cylinder: Effect of Corner Chamfering
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37, Issue 3
Abstract
In this paper, results of a flow visualization study on the flow around a square cylinder with corner chamfering are presented. The corners of the test cylinders were chamfered with each corner forming a triangle with chamfer dimension . Experiments were conducted for ratios of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 where is the side dimension of the uncut square cylinder. The flow structures, particularly the vortex shedding mode and mechanism around the uncut as well as chamfered square cylinders, were investigated in order to deduce the effect of corner modification. All the studies were conducted at a Reynolds number value of 2,100 (based on ) on both stationary and oscillating cylinders. For oscillating cases, a special mechanism was built to oscillate the cylinders (forced oscillation) at desired amplitudes and frequencies. Results indicates that corner chamfering brings notable changes in the near-wake flow structures of a square section cylinder both in stationary and oscillating conditions. In view of aerospace structures with similar geometries, the present results carry considerable practical significance.
Practical Applications
Many engineering structures carry square section geometry, such as buildings, bridge pylons, and so on, and are subjected to fluid flows. Flow around them can induce certain static and dynamic loads on these structures due to which eventually, they can fail if not designed properly. Flow-induced loads majorly depend on the body geometry. For square section cylinders (structures), corner shape is found to be a crucial factor that decides the nature of the flow field developed over them. This is because a properly designed corner shape can significantly bring down hydrodynamic/aerodynamic loads imposed on structures, ensuring structural safety. In this study, the corners of a square section cylinder are chamfered, and influence of this corner shape is studied through flow visualization. Flow visualization enables qualitative (mainly) as well as quantitative analysis of the flow field developed on the cylinder with different degrees of corner chamfering. This study brings out the effectiveness of corner chamfering in influencing the flow around a square cylinder, which represents an engineering structure in real world scenarios.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
Authors would like to thank the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amritapuri Campus, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University) for the unstinting backing provided to accomplish this research work. Thanks are also due to Mr. Arunkumar K., faculty member, and Mr. Lanilal B. of Department of Mechanical Engineering, AMRITA University and also to Dr. Jinny Robson, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, for the whole-hearted support extended to write this paper.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 37 • Issue 3 • May 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 18, 2021
Accepted: Dec 6, 2023
Published online: Feb 21, 2024
Published in print: May 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jul 21, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Cylinders
- Design (by type)
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Flow visualization
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Geometrics
- Geometry
- Highway and road design
- Hydrologic engineering
- Mathematics
- Motion (dynamics)
- Oscillations
- Reynolds number
- Solid mechanics
- Vortex shedding
- Vortices
- Water and water resources
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