Vortex-Induced Vibrations of In-Line Cantilevered Cylinders

A Numerical Investigation for Nuclear Industry Benchmark Testing

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

M.M.M.D. Hussain Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

A.H. van Zuijlen Aerodynamics - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 1)
K. Zwijsen NRG (Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group) Petten (supervisor 1)
M.I. Gerritsma Aerodynamics - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 2)
A.C. Viré Wind Energy - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 2)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2021 Mohammed Muaaz Hussain
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Published Date

27-09-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The advent of global warming has brought an increased interest in non-conventional sources of energy, one of which is nuclear energy. Threatening the almost year-round functioning of nuclear power plants are Flow-Induced Vibrations (FIV). One such mechanism, Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV), holds importance in areas of cross flow in nuclear power plants. To make fail-safe
designs, computational analysis in the domain of Fluid Structure Interactions (FSI) has been increasing over the past two decades. The thesis work aims to add to the body of knowledge by making predictions for an in-line two-cylinder configuration, set up as part of a benchmark proposed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), using the commercial code Simcenter STARCCM+ (v2020.3.1).

The main objective of this study is to test the efficacy of the URANS framework in predicting VIV which is strongly correlated with the objective of the OECD to propose recommendations for the Best Practice Guidelines. To do so, it is desired to shortlist the most appropriate turbulence model for the final application and point out gaps in the prediction of the same. The thesis work is thus carried out in three phases: code validation, turbulence model selection and final application. Key results from this study reveal the ‘Standard K-Epsilon
Low Re: Cubic’ model to be the most apt for the final application. Furthermore, gaps are also identified in the application of URANS to predict VIV resonance conditions, the primary of which is the overprediction of the vortex shedding frequency.