Flow-induced vibrations of an equilateral triangular prism at subcritical Reynolds number

It has been well known that the shear layers behind a prism at subcritical Reynolds number (Re) remain persistently stable. However, potential response of an elastically mounted non-circular prism at subcritical Re is still open. In this study, we numerically investigate the flow-induced vibrations of an equilateral triangular prism at subcritical laminar flow using the immersed boundary method. The prism is allowed to vibrate only in the transverse direction. It is found that the prism vibration could be excited and sustained at subcritical Re due to the instability triggered by the prism's movability. Within angles of attack α = 0°–60°, the triangular prism experiences three responses: i.e., vortex-induced vibration (VIV) at α = 0°–30°, large-amplitude vibration at α = 37.5°–46.5°, and galloping at α = 47.5°–60°. The characteristics of vibration amplitude, frequency, and dependence of fluid forces on reduced velocity and α are investigated. Eight different wake modes exist behind the prism, i.e., one stable mode, two shear layer modes, and five vortex shedding modes. In the VIV regime, the 2S mode (2 single vortices per vibration cycle) is the only vortex shedding mode, while the vortex shedding mode with more than two vortices is unique in the other two regimes. In the end, we discuss (i) the influences of Re and mass ratio and (ii) prediction of the galloping instability using quasi-steady analysis. It is found that three different response regimes are noticed, although their characteristics are strongly affected by the two factors. Quasi-steady approach could provide a reasonable prediction of the emergence of galloping instability for non-circular prism.