Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Journal of Structural and Construction Engineering

Computational Fluid Dynamics Evaluation of Vortex-Induced Vibrations in Single and Multiple Cylinders for Offshore Design

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyed Reza Samaei 1
mohammad Asadian ghahferokhi 2
1 Assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran;
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SR. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22065/jsce.2025.506520.3660
Abstract
The interaction of fluid flow with cylindrical bodies is closely associated with drag, lift, and vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), all of which can significantly affect structural performance and fatigue life. This study examines the dynamic response of solid cylinders subjected to VIV using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Numerical simulations were conducted in ANSYS Fluent with an inlet velocity of 10 m/s applied to five turbine-base-like columns arranged in multiple configurations. A structured grid consisting of 63,699 cells was generated, with a mesh quality index of approximately 0.8. Mesh sensitivity analysis and mass conservation checks confirmed third-order accuracy, validating the reliability of the computational model. Flow field visualization revealed strong velocity deflections around the cylinders, with localized peaks reaching 22.4 m/s, in agreement with Bernoulli’s principle. Pressure contour results indicated fluctuations between 48.9 and 3.98 kPa, which contributed to vortex shedding and oscillatory forces acting on the structures. The analysis demonstrated that oscillation patterns are highly sensitive to the arrangement of cylinders, influencing the level of fatigue accumulation and overall structural stability. These outcomes highlight the critical role of cylinder configuration in mitigating vibration effects and improving performance under fluid loading. The findings are directly applicable to the design of offshore wind turbine foundations, marine risers, and energy harvesting devices, where control of fluid-induced vibrations is essential to ensure durability and resilience. This work contributes to advancing the understanding of VIV in multi-cylinder systems and provides guidance for optimizing configurations in offshore and energy-related applications.
Keywords
Cylindrical structures
Offshore energy systems
Computational fluid dynamics
Numerical simulation
Vortex-induced vibrations

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  • Receive Date 10 March 2025
  • Revise Date 02 September 2025
  • Accept Date 06 September 2025