Influence of porous media coatings on flow characteristics and vortex-induced vibration of circular cylinders

The aerodynamic parameters and flow field characteristics of cylinders with and without a porous media coating (PMC) were experimentally investigated in a wind tunnel. This research explored the potential of using a PMC to control vortex-induced vibration (VIV). The PMCs were manufactured with four pores-per-inch values (PPI = 15, 20, 30, and 40) and three depths, (d/D = 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5, where d is the depth of the coating and D is the diameter of the bare cylinder). The instantaneous drag and lift forces were measured in static tests. The results showed that all the PMCs could decrease the fluctuation of the forces. The root-mean-square lift force was reduced by up to 98% with a coating of PPI = 15 and d/D = 0.5 at Re = 5.2x10(4). The flow fields were visualized using a particle image velocimetry (PIV) system and analyzed with time-averaged velocity fields, wake velocity profiles, and turbulence kinetic energy distributions. For PMCs with smaller PPI values and greater depths, the wake vortex formed further away from the cylinder. Then the dynamical responses were tested for elastically supported models. Not all the PMCs could suppress the VIV. When PPI < 30, the PMC decreased the VIV amplitude. For each PPI, a greater depth resulted in a lower amplitude. The VIV amplitude for a coated cylinder was reduced to 4% of that for the bare cylinder. When PPI > 30, the PMC enhanced the VIV, with a greater depth resulting in a higher amplitude. When PPI = 30, the PMC could either increase or decrease the VIV amplitude, depending on the depth. The flow fields around the oscillating cylinder were also analyzed to reveal the effect of the PMC on the wake vortex shedding behavior. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.