Turbulence in a wall-wake flow downstream of two horizontal cylinders

Experimental investigations of flow past two (one above other) horizontal cylinders have been presented in this paper. The experimental data captured over a rough-bed with double cylinders having three different diameters, were used for the analysis. Firstly, general characteristics such as streamwise velocity, Reynolds shear stress and turbulence intensity profiles have been elucidated at different downstream locations from cylinder position; then some advanced analysis such as length scales, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) fluxes and budget have been investigated to exhibit their variations. Length scale profiles exhibit higher values in near bed; indicating comparatively larger eddies' downstream of both cylinders. TKE budget profiles indicate highly negative pressure energy diffusion rate together with a sufficient TKE production rate, stabilized by the amplified TKE diffusion and dissipation rates. To determine one of the most prime behaviors of turbulence characteristics, namely TKE dissipation rate more accurately, the concept of structure function has been employed. Primarily velocity gradient method elucidates TKE dissipation rate, then it has been verified by Kolmogorov's two-thirds law using second order structure function and Kolmogorov's - 5/3 law using the method of power spectra.

Automated summary

This paper presents experimental investigations of flow past two horizontal cylinders. The analysis is based on experimental data captured over a rough-bed with double cylinders of different diameters. General characteristics such as streamwise velocity, Reynolds shear stress, and turbulence intensity profiles are elucidated at different downstream locations. Advanced analysis, such as length scales and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget, are also investigated to show their variations. To accurately determine the TKE dissipation rate, the concept of structure function is employed, and it is verified using Kolmogorov's two-thirds law and the method of power spectra.