A model equation for the transverse forces on cylinders in oscillatory flows

A quasi-steady model is presented to predict the transverse force on cylinders in waves and oscillating flows. The model assumes that the Strouhal number, based on the instantaneous flow velocity, is constant, taking a value of 0.2. It is also assumed that the lift coefficient, based on the instantaneous dynamic pressure of the flow, is constant over a half cycle of the flow. The predictions of the model are compared with measurements taken on a circular cylinder in planar oscillatory flow over the Keulegan Carpenter number, KC, range from 5 to 53. The agreement between predicted and measured transverse forces is good at high KC but deteriorates at low KC. For high KC, it is shown that the model can be further improved if additional variables are introduced into the model equation.