Prediction of Vortex Shedding Control by Means of Splitter Plates

The paper presents preliminary results of a computational study aimed at quantifying the effectiveness of splitter plates in reducing the strength of vortex shedding from circular cylinders at high Reynolds number. The principal interest is in determining the optimal ratio of splitter plate width to cylinder diameter to achieve maximum reduction in the magnitude of the fluctuating lift and drag forces relative to their original values. The computations were performed using the URANS approach. The effects of turbulence were accounted for using a turbulence closure that has been adapted to account for the effects of organized vortex shedding on the random turbulent motions. Comparisons with experimental data show that this approach is successful in capturing the main effects that arise from the attachment of splitter plates to the cylinder base.