Experimental investigation of the wake of an oscillating cylinder

The wake of a circular cylinder oscillating with simple-harmonic motion was investigated experimentally. Oscillations with amplitudes ranging from 0.4 to 4.8 cylinder diameters and frequencies smaller than 60 cycles per minute were considered. Flow visualization and photographic techniques were used to obtain pictorial sequences of the flow phenomena. The existing experimental results have been reviewed. The experimental apparatus and the flow visualization technique used for this investigation are described. Photographic results are presented for various oscillatory conditions. The results indicate that the dimensions and characteristics of the cylinder wake depend strongly on the relative amplitude of the oscillatory motion. The frequency of oscillation, on the other hand, has very little effect on this same wake.