Flapping vortex dynamics of two coupled side-by-side flexible plates submerged in the wake of a square cylinder

The flapping vortex dynamics of two flexible plates submerged side-by-side in the wake of a square cylinder are investigated through a two-way fluid–structure interaction (FSI) simulation. The gap between the two plates can stabilize wakes, lengthen vortex formation, elongate vortices, suppress vortex shedding, and decrease hydrodynamic forces. The numerical results indicate that the two flexible plates can exhibit four distinct modes of coupled motion: out-of-phase flapping, in-phase flapping, transition flapping, and decoupled flapping, depending on the gap spacing. Additionally, it is discovered that each of the four coupling modes has a unique pattern of vortex development. The findings of this study should proved valuable in the design of FSI-based piezoelectric energy harvesters utilizing cylinder–plate systems.