Abstract

We consider the stability of a thin flexible cylinder considered as a beam, when subjected to axial flow and fixed at the up-stream end only. A linear stability analysis of transverse motion aims at determining the risk of flutter as a function of the governing control parameters such as the flow velocity or the length of the cylinder. Stability is analysed applying a finite difference scheme in space to the equation of motion expressed in the frequency domain. It is found that, contrary to previous predictions based on simplified theories, flutter may exist for very long cylinders, provided that the free downstream end of the cylinder is well-streamlined. More generally, a limit regime is found where the length of the cylinder does not affect the characteristics of the instability, and the deformation is confined to a finite region close to the downstream end. These results are found complementary to solutions derived for shorter cylinders and are confirmed by linear computations using a Galerkin method. A link is established to similar results on long hanging cantilevered systems with internal or external flow. The limit case of vanishing bending stiffness, where the cylinder is modelled as a string, is analysed and related to previous results. A simple model for the behaviour of long cylinders is proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 2006 ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Division Conference - ASME PVP2006/ICPVT-11 Conference - Pressure Vessel Technologies for the Global Community
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers(ASME)
ISBN (Print)0791837823, 9780791837825
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006
EventASME PVP2006/ICPVT-11 Conference - Vancouver, BC, Canada
Duration: 23 Jul 200627 Jul 2006

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Pressure Vessels and Piping Division (Publication) PVP
Volume2006
ISSN (Print)0277-027X

Conference

ConferenceASME PVP2006/ICPVT-11 Conference
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver, BC
Period23/07/0627/07/06

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Flutter of long flexible cylinders in axial flow'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this