Effect of a T-shaped plate on reduction in fluid forces on two tandem cylinders in a cross-flow

The effect of a T-shaped plate on reduction in fluid forces on two tandem circular cylinders in a uniform cross-flow was examined at a Reynolds number of 6.5×104. The T-shaped plate, with a head-width of 5 mm (one-tenth of cylinder diameter), is used as the control object to control the approaching flow onto the upstream cylinder, resulting in reduction in fluid forces on the cylinders. The trail length of the T-shaped plate was varied in order to bring the head of the T-shaped plate in action at different positions so that an optimum position of the head of the T-shaped plate for reducing fluid forces could be identified. From the result, it was found that, when the T-shaped plate with a trail length of 0.70–1.00 times the cylinder diameter is used, an optimum reduction in fluid forces occurs, and the interference effect of the downstream cylinder on the upstream cylinder is completely suppressed.