PSV and marker detection techniques for investigating the wake of an oscillating cylinder in a large wind tunnel

Although Particle Image Velocimetry techniques are widely used in the experimental investigation of the flow structure around obstacles, the application of these techniques in wind tunnels is frequently limited by the dimension of the areas involved, which make the image acquisition set-up expensive.This paper examines the use of Particle Streak Velocimetry (PSV) and marker detection techniques to measure the flow field around bodies with relatively large dimensions. In spite of its minimal requirements in terms of acquisition set-up, the method permits the investigation of complex phenomena.The tests described in the paper were carried out in air using a rigid cylinder, free to oscillate in a wind tunnel. Coupling PSV and marker detection techniques with the phase average of the measured velocity fields, the evolution of vortex shedding behind a cylinder with a diameter of 200 mm was measured with an acquisition area of about 1000×1200 mm.

► Particle Streak Velocimetry (PSV) and marker detection techniques were used to measure the flow field downstream oscillating bodies.
► A rigid cylinder with a diameter of 200 mm, free to oscillate in a wind tunnel, was studied.
► The test section was of about 1000×1200 mm downstream the cylinder.
► The vortex shedding evolution was provided by the phase average of the measured velocity fields.