Experimental study on the near wake behind two side-by-side cylinders of unequal diameters

The wake structure behind two side-by-side circular cylinders with unequal diameter was investigated using the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. This investigation focused on the asymmetrical flow within the subcritical Reynolds number regime. A comparison between the time-averaged mean flow field of one cylinder and that of two side-by-side cylinders of unequal diameter was made for elucidating the mean flow characteristics attributable to the latter. The distribution of mean velocity behind two side-by-side unequal cylinders was distinctly different from that behind one cylinder, and an asymmetric combination was observed behind the two cylinders. The present paper also presents the authors' interpretation of the generation mechanism of gap flow deflection based on the instantaneous vorticity contours and velocity distribution. The effect of Reynolds number on flow structure was studied by analyzing the mean velocity distribution and time-averaged wake structures. The results showed that vortex formation length decreases with Reynolds number.