Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of the Reynolds number (Re) and gap ratio (G/L) on the flow over two inline equilateral triangular cylinders. The variations in wake dynamics, aerodynamic coefficients, and Strouhal number (St) were analyzed for Reynolds numbers ranging from 80 to 160 and gap ratios (G/L) from 0 to 6.0. The pisoFoam solver available in the OpenFOAM software, which employs the PISO algorithm, was used to solve the governing flow equations. Analysis of the vorticity contours reveals that the vortex shedding characteristics of the inline cylinders are strongly influenced by the gap ratio. Distinct vortex shedding from both cylinders is observed only beyond a critical gap ratio, with vortex shedding being delayed up to this critical value. Based on the vorticity patterns, threedistinct flow regimes were identified depending on the values of Re and G/L. The vortices shed from the cylinders are found to be periodic and symmetric across the investigated ranges of Re and G/L. The time-averaged drag coefficient remains positive for the first cylinder, while for the second cylinder it transitions from positive to negative with increasing G/L.
Source: Symmetry
DOI: 10.3390/sym18071109
Authors: Manu Sivan, S. AJITH KUMAR
Institution: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7166682598