Numerical simulation on vortex shedding from a hydrofoil in steady flow

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical modeling procedure for the idealization of vortex shedding effects in the wake flow field of a NACA0009 hydrofoil. During the simulation, the lift and drag acting on the hydrofoil were monitored, and the vortex-shedding frequency of the hydrofoil was analyzed. The effects of inflow velocity, trailing-edge thickness, angle of attack, and maximum hydrofoil thickness on vortex shedding were investigated. The results indicate that an increase in the inflow velocity led to an increase in the vortex-shedding frequency and a negligible change in the Strouhal number. Furthermore, as the thickness of the trailing edge increased, the vortex-shedding frequency decreased gradually, whereas the Strouhal number first increased and then decreased. Vortex shedding and lift curve oscillations ceased altogether after the angle of attack of the hydrofoil increased beyond a certain threshold. When the maximum hydrofoil thickness was increased while keeping the thickness and chord length of the trailing edge constant, the vortex-shedding frequency decreased.