On interference between two circular cylinders in staggered arrangement at high subcritical Reynolds numbers

The results of a wind-tunnel investigation on the interference between two identical parallel circular cylinders arranged in staggered configurations, carried out in a uniform smooth flow at high subcritical Reynolds number, are presented. On the basis of the pressure measurements and the flow visualization, three main flow patterns are classified and discussed. Close attention is paid to the switching phenomenon of two different pressure patterns at critical angles. This switching creates discontinuity of large lift forces on cylinders. With measurements of velocity profiles and power spectral analysis in the gap between the two cylinders, the mechanism of the appearance of this extreme aerodynamic force is discussed.