Simulation of Vortex-Induced Oscillations within a Shear Thinning Liquid

The present work discusses the impact of nonlinear shear thinning in a viscous fluid flow on the vibration behavior of an elastic bar. In the process numerical simulations have been performed concerning a well-known FSI benchmark geometry. In contrast to past investigations a non-Newtonian liquid of the Carreau-Yasuda type is used as fluid component. In order to accomplish the coupling between the liquid and the solid domain, an approach using quasi-Newton iterations is applied. In a parameter study material and geometrical parameters are changed. The solutions show distinct deviations compared to results obtained with a Newtonian liquid. These differences emphasize the nonlinearity of the shear thinning material model. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)