Dynamics of a Cluster of Flexibly Interconnected Cylinders, Part 2: In Axial Flow

In this paper the dynamical characteristics are discussed of a cluster of cylinders, the extremities of which are interconnected by beam-like connectors, modeled here by sets of linear springs as formulated in Part 1 of this study; resistance to both in-plane and out-of-plane deformation of the connectors is taken into account. The cylinders are subjected to axial flow, and hydrodynamic coupling in cylinder motions is taken into account. The system eigenfrequencies and modal shapes are calculated for different conditions of structural and hydrodynamic coupling. The effect of increasing flow on the dynamics of the system is also studied, up to and beyond the threshold of fluid-elastic instabilities.