LAUSR

Abstract The effects of finite-span computational domain with periodic boundaries for vortex-induced vibration simulations are investigated. Coupled fluid-solid dynamics of an elastically-mounted rigid circular cylinder are performed using detached eddy simulations with four computational domains of different span lengths. Simulations with span less than five-cylinder diameters give erroneous results including, under/overprediction of displacement amplitude, premature lock-in, etc. Spectra of transverse loading and displacement, instantaneous oscillation frequency, and phase lag between transverse force and displacement are analyzed. High spanwise coherence is found to be the primary cause of the artefacts observed in small-span simulations.