Uncertainty Analysis of Experiments of Vortex-Induced Vibrations for Circular Cylinders

In this study, uncertainty analysis of the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) tests, using a VIV test rig is presented. The VIV test rig is set up on the circulation channel in Ata Nutku Ship Model Testing Laboratory at Istanbul Technical University (ITU). The tests are performed using an elastically mounted rigid and smooth circular cylinder in low mass-damping and high Reynolds numbers conditions. The cylinder has one-degree-of freedom. It is allowed to move perpendicular to the flow while inline vibrations are constrained. The aim of the study is to demonstrate and establish a repeatable procedure to predict the uncertainty of VIV tests, utilizing some example applications of existing ITTC recommendations. Within this aim, five distinct VIV tests are carried out following ITTC guidelines and procedures measuring the amplitude (A*) and frequency response (f*) data. Uncertainty analysis study is performed for three different flow velocities, chosen from VIV tests and total uncertainty is calculated by root mean square values of precision and bias uncertainties. The precision uncertainty is predicted using response amplitude values obtained from five sets of VIV tests. The bias uncertainty is predicted utilizing the basic measurements and test results of the components of response amplitude for the cylinder. The results have demonstrated that the current test rig has low uncertainty level. Additionally, it has succeeded to reflect the characteristics of VIV phenomenon in the studied Reynolds number range, which is in the Transition Shear Layer 3 (TrSL3) flow regime. Consequently, it is believed that this study would help in spreading the application of the uncertainty analysis for VIV tests in the future.