On the fluid-structure interaction of a splitter plate: Vibration modes and Reynolds number effects

Previous work (Eloranta et al. in Exp Fluids 39:841–855, 2005) has shown that flow separation from the trailing edge of a splitter plate in a convergent channel involves a fluid–structure interaction (FSI), which modifies the fundamental instability related to vortex shedding. Under certain conditions, the FSI induces cellular vortex shedding from the trailing edge. This paper reports detailed measurements of the plate vibration mode and studies the effect of the Reynolds number on the FSI. Experimental techniques including laser vibrometer and digital imaging are used to measure the response of the plate and particle image velocimetry is used to measure the flow field in the near wake. Combining data from these techniques, the development of the vibration frequency and mode can be addressed together with the imprint of the vibration mode in the flow. The results show that over most of the Reynolds numbers measured, the plate vibrates in a distinct mode characterized by a spanwise standing wave along the plate trailing edge. The vibration frequency and the spacing between the nodes of the standing wave depend on the Reynolds number. As the Reynolds number is increased, the frequency of the dominant vibration mode does not increase linearly. The plot of the vibration frequency as a function of the Reynolds number shows that the vibration tends to lock to a rather constant frequency over of range of Reynolds numbers. After certain Reynolds number if threshold is exceeded, the frequency jumps to a new level, which also involves a new vibration mode.