Investigating the effect of rotational degree of freedom on a circular cylinder at low reynolds number in cross flow

Numerical simulations of Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIV) of a circular cylinder in cross flow with a rotational degree of freedom about its axis have been carried out by means of a finite-volume method. The study is performed in two dimensions at a Reynolds number of ReD = 100, based on the free stream velocity and the diameter, D, of the cylinder. The effect of the rotational degree of freedom on the cylinder’s lift and drag forces are compared with the baseline simulation results of flow around a stationary cylinder. The introduction of a rotational degree of freedom (d.o.f) is observed to cause the lift and drag forces to change. Also, the pattern of vortex shedding behind the cylinder is found to drastically change when the cylinder is allowed to rotate.