PIV measurements of flow-field downstream of a cylinder with and without fairing and comparison with CFD

Abstract

This work examines the ability of two dimensional CFD models to predict the unsteady flow downstream of a cylinder, with and without fairing, in uniform flow. PIV measurements of the flow-field downstream of the cylinder and fairing in uniform flow are first presented. “Slices” of the flow at several locations along the cylinder are compared to show the variation of the flow in the cross-stream direction. Then the PIV flow is compared with RANS and LES simulations of the flow. Velocity time histories are compared and hydrodynamic coefficients are discussed. In a general sense, two dimensional CFD can give a functional approximation of the unsteady flow field downstream of the cylinder or fairing.