Flow-excited acoustic resonance of two side-by-side cylinders in cross-flow

The aeroacoustic response of two side-by-side circular cylinders in cross-flow is investigated experimentally. In order to investigate the effect of the gap between the cylinders on the acoustic resonance mechanism, six spacing ratios between the cylinders, in the range of T/D=1.25–3, have been investigated, where D is the diameter of the cylinders and T the centre-to-centre distance between them. Special attention is given to the intermediate spacing ratio range, which exhibits bistable flow regimes in the absence of resonance. During the tests, the acoustic cross-modes of the duct housing the cylinders are self-excited. For the intermediate spacing ratios, T/D=1.25, 1.35, 1.46 and 1.75, two distinct vortex-shedding frequencies at the off-resonance conditions are observed. These are associated with the wide and narrow wakes of the cylinders, as described in the literature. In this case, acoustic resonances occur at a Strouhal number, which is between those observed before the onset of resonance. The acoustic resonance synchronizes vortex shedding in the two wakes and thereby eliminates the bistable flow phenomenon. For large spacing ratios, T/D=2.5 and 3, vortex shedding occurs at a single Strouhal number at which the acoustic resonance is excited.