Applicability of the Wavy-Wall Model of Fluidelastic Instability to a Normal Triangular Tube Array

The Yetisir and Weaver formulation of the Lever and Weaver “wavy-wall” model for fluidelastic instability in tube arrays has been implemented for both normal triangular and in-line square arrays. The sensitivity of this model to the input parameters (i.e. attachment and separation points, decay function and phase lag function) has been examined. It was found that variations in the decay function were most significant and that the model behaved similarly for both array types. The predicted surface pressure perturbation due to tube displacement has then been compared with experimental data. For the in-line array the model behaviour compared well, while for the normal triangular array, the predictions were not representative of the experimental data. It is concluded that while the Yetisir and Weaver model can be applied successfully to in-line square arrays, it is not appropriate for densely packed normal triangular arrays.