An experiment on the flow past a finite circular cylinder at high subcritical and supercritical Reynolds numbers

Abstract

The complicated flow in the tip region of a finite circular cylinder in uniform cross flow has been examined at the Reynolds numbers 0·85 × 10 5 , 1·8 × 10 5 , and 7·7 × 10 5 . Simultaneous measurements of the surface-pressure and wake-velocity fluctuations have revealed the existence of a shedding regime in the tip region that is distinct from the one prevailing on the main body of the cylinder. In particular, this regime can be unstable and intermittent, can have a cellular structure in the wake, or can be subcritical when the main flow is supercritical.