Vortex Induced

Vibrations

Contents:

Vortices and Induced Vibrations.

Phenomena and Reduction of Vortex

Induced Vibrations.

Latest Research Papers.

Summary.

:Vortices
A vortex is defined as the motion of
multitude of fluid particles around a
common center.
Types of vortices:
- Forced Vortex
- Free Vortex

Vortices in the Real World:

Vortices in the real world like Tornados,
Whirlpool in rivers are often a
combination of free and forced vortices.
Forced vortex flow occurs at and near the
center of the vortex while free vortex
conditions are approximated outside this
region.

Fig.(1) Velocity Distribution

Flow-Induced Vibration:
The vibration caused by a fluid flowing
around a body is known as flow-induced
vibration.
In the following examples, the vibration
of the system continuously extracts
energy from the source, leading to
larger and larger amplitudes of
vibration.

Phenomena of Induced
:Vibration
-

Tall chimneys, Submarine periscopes,

Electric transmission lines and
Nuclear fuel rods are found to vibrate
violently under certain conditions of
fluid flow around them.
Similarly, water and oil pipe lines and
tubes in air compressors undergo
sever vibrations under certain
conditions of fluid flow through them.

In ice-covered electric transmission

lines and the unstable vibration,
known as flutter, of air foil sections.
High frequency vibration known as
singing of transmission lines occurs
due to the phenomena of vortex
shedding.

Why Vortex Shedding Phenomena:

Vortex shedding was the primary cause of
failure of the Tacoma Narrows suspension
bridge in the state of Washington in 1940.
If the frequency of the vortex shedding is
in resonance with the natural frequency of
the member that produces it, large
amplitudes of vibrations with resulting
large stresses can develop.

Experimental data show that regular

vortex shedding occurs strongly in the
range of Reynolds number (Re) from
about 60 to 5000.
Experiments shows also that the
frequency of shedding is given in terms of
Strouhal number (St), and this in turn is a
function of the Reynolds number.
Other cylindrical and two dimensional
bodies can also shed vortices.

Reduction of Flow-Induced
:Vibration