Title: Numerical investigation for the flow past a single and in-line stick-slip cylinder in a planar flow

Authors: Manish Dhiman

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, H.P. 177005, India

Abstract: Flow past bluff bodies is a fundamental problem in fluid mechanics. Recently, the influence of confinement on such flows has gained significant attention, as nearby no-slip walls can markedly alter phenomena like flow separation and stagnation points. Concurrently, the development of 'Janus' cylinders - materials with distinct surface properties - have shown considerable promise in various applications. In this study, flow structures and hydrodynamic forces on a circular stick-slip (Janus) cylinder, centrally placed within a confined channel, are investigated at low cylinder Reynolds numbers (Re_p = 1-100) for different channel-to-cylinder diameter ratios (H/D). Comparisons are made with conventional uniform-surface (stick) cylinders. Results show that the recirculation zone enlarges with increasing H/D, and shear stress distributions indicate that separation points shift further downstream. Empirical correlations for drag, lift, and moment coefficients are proposed. Additionally, the flow over two in-line stick-slip cylinders is analysed, revealing significant alterations in streamline patterns and hydrodynamic forces.

Keywords: stick-slip cylinders; confinement; in-line array.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2026.156026

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2026 Vol.26 No.5, pp.297 - 314

Received: 28 Nov 2024
Accepted: 12 Jun 2025
Published online: 01 Sep 2026 *

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