Direct Numerical Simulation of the low-Reynold flow through tandem circular cylinders with the middle flat plate ☆

This paper describes an investigation of the dynamic behaviors of the fluid flow through tandem circular cylinders with a middle flat plate. A low Reynold number of 100, which originated from appropriate applications, is considered. The lattice Boltzmann Method is used and implemented in the Direct Numerical Simulation. The numerical model was well-validated by comparing results from the literature for either a single circular cylinder or two tandem cylinders without flat plates. Consequently, the dynamic behavior of the fluid flow through tandem circular cylinders with a middle flat plate is first revealed in this study. The numerical results show that these behaviors are affected significantly by the presence of the middle flat plate. Moreover, the pattern of vortex formation is also affected considerably when this flat plate is mounted between two cylinders, and this pattern changes at the threshold value of plate size. Hydrodynamic coefficients and the Strouhal number generally decrease with the increase in flat plate size. These results are very useful in reducing the losses caused by vortex formation and increasing the fatigue durability in potential applications, such as ocean engineering and civil engineering.