Vortex-induced reconfiguration of a tandem arrangement of flexible cylinders

Oscillating motions of flexible cylinders are associated to some extent with the aerodynamic response of plants. Tandem motions of reeds with flexible stems in a colony are experimentally investigated using an array of flexible cylinders made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Consecutive images of flexible cylinders subjected to oncoming wind are recorded with a high-speed camera. To quantify oscillating motions, the average bending angle and displacement of flexible cylinders are evaluated using point-tracking method and spectral analysis. The tandem motions of flexible cylinders are closely related to the flow characteristics around the cylinders. Thus, the dynamic motions of a tandem arrangement of flexible cylinders are investigated with varying numbers of cylinders arranged in-line, numbers of cylinders in a group (behaving like a single body), and Reynolds numbers (Re). When the number of cylinders in a group increases, the damping effect caused by the support of downstream cylinders is pronounced. These results would be provide useful information on the tandem-arranged design of complex structures and energy harvesting devices.