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)