Transverse flow over a wavy cylinder

Abstract

Transverse flow over a wavy cylinder was investigated experimentally; surface-pressure distributions and flow visualizations were obtained for a set of wavy cylinders with different axial wavelengths. Significant spanwise pressure gradients were present, resulting in three-dimensional separation lines and the formation of streamwise trailing vortex structures near the geometric nodes. Despite the symmetry of the geometries, the separated flow structures near the geometric nodes were distinctly asymmetric a large fraction of time. Integration of the pressure data revealed greater sectional drag coefficients at the geometric nodes than at the geometric saddles.