Numerical Study on Vortices in Collision of Flow with Circular, Square, Triangular, and Pentagonal Barriers of Different Diameters

Numerical Study on Vortices in Collision of Flow with Circular, Square, Triangular, and Pentagonal Barriers of Different DiametersStructures constructed on rivers induce downstream oscillating vortices. These vortices apply oscillating loads on the structure and harm its stability. This paper carried out numerical simulations in SOLIDWORKS to explore the effects of the barrier shape and size on the load applied by the vortex on structures constructed in water streams. It was found that a reduction in the barrier size diminished the vortices. The highest Strouhal number was calculated to be 5.2 at a Reynolds number of 5000 and a barrier diameter of 0.09. The maximum downstream vortices were induced by the triangular barrier, and the maximum Strouhal number occurred to be 7.8 at a velocity of 0.4 and a barrier diameter of 0.05. The maximum vortices induced by the square barrier occurred at a barrier diameter of 0.05. Keywords: Strouhal number, Reynolds number, Barrier, Physical model, Oscillation