Vortex shedding behind rings and discs

Abstract

The wake structure of discs and bluff rings has been investigated experimentally in a wind tunnel. The rings have an inner diameter di, and an outer diameter do and are classified according to the parameter (do + di)/(do − di) = d/w. the ratio of mean diameter to ring width. As d/w → ∞ the flow approaches that around a two dimensional bluff body whereas as d/w tends to unity the body approaches a solid disc. A distinct change in the vortex shedding pattern is found around d/w = 5. Below this critical value velocity fluctuations in the wake have a weak periodic component which is 180° out of phase across a diameter of the body. Above d/w = 5. regular and coherent axisymmetric vortex ring shedding is observed with shedding occurring alternately from the inner and outer circumferences of the bluff body. Flow visualization and conditional averaging of hot-wire data are used to investigate the vortex structure.