Numerical simulation of flow around elastically mounted cylinder

The flow around a single cylinder free to vibrate in the transverse direction is investigated employing the 2-D Discrete Vortex Method. The simulations are carried out for a mass parameter and Reynolds number that are typical of the flow around an oil extraction riser. Results of amplitude of induced vibration as a function of reduced velocity are compared with experimental data from Khalak and Williamson (1996). It is found that the maximum calculated amplitudes of vibration are lower than the experimental ones, but the simulations with the 2-D Discrete Vortex Method proved to be inexpensive and well suited to qualitative studies and the development of strip-theory solvers capable of simulating a long marine riser installed in ultra deep waters.