A comparative study on vortex shedding dynamics of forced oscillating splitter-plate with or without cylinders

Abstract

This study explores the vortex shedding dynamics of oscillating cylinder with splitter plate compared to pure plate, emphasizing its impact on propulsive performance. Conducted at a Reynolds number of 3000, the investigation combines particle image velocimetry and force measurements to analyze thrust, lift, and vortex evolution across a range of Strouhal numbers (St: 0.12–0.72) and non-dimensional ampli tudes (A: 0.175–2.5). The results reveal that the oscillating cylinder with a splitter plate significantly enhances propulsive efficiency compared to the pure plate, particularly under reverse 2S flow conditions. At high St and low A, the splitter-plate configuration achieves an efficiency improvement of 29.8%, driven by augmented vortex formation, reattachment, and fusion. The findings highlight the critical role of flow regime transitions and geometric design in optimizing fluid–structure interactions, offering insights for bio-inspired propulsion systems and advanced marine engineering technologies.