Local Force Measurements on Finite-Span Cylinders in a Cross-Flow

Abstract

A technique employing a three-axis piezoelectric load cell is developed to measure local unsteady forces induced on cylinders placed in a cross flow. Verification of the technique is carried out with a two-dimensional circular cylinder. All measurements are made at a Reynolds number of ∼4.8 × 104 and a free-stream turbulence of ∼1.5 percent. The local two-dimensional unsteady lift measurement is found to be in excellent agreement with spanwise-averaged data reported in the literature, thereby validating the feasibility of the present technique. Steady and unsteady force measurements on finite-span circular cylinders are reported and compared with available data in the literature.