Mean Flow Calculations Behind Arbitrarily Spaced Cylinders

A finite array of arbitrarily spaced parallel rods is considered. It is assumed that momentum deficit may be superposed locally. The momentum deficit is computed behind each cylinder—considering it as a single cylinder—using one of the accepted theories. Then the momentum deficits at each point due to all the cylinders are superposed. From this an overall velocity distribution is calculated. Experiments with various rod diameters and spacings were conducted. The results were within 3 percent of the theoretically predicted local velocity, and under 10 percent of the predicted local velocity defect (at locations of significant velocity deficits).