Experimental characterization of the flow field of square prism with a detached splitter plate at high reynolds number

The characteristics of the flow field of a square prism with detached splitter plate in its wake were investigated by measuring the fluid force on the prism and by visualizing the flow field through particle image velocimetry (PIV) with a high Reynolds number (Re = 10,000). The experimental parameters included the ratios of the splitter and prism widths (H/B = 0.5–1.5) as well as the gap ratios (G/B = 0–2) between the prism and the splitter plate at a high Reynolds number (Re = 10,000). The drag reduction rate of the square prism increased with increasing H/B for the same G/B; meanwhile, it increased and then decreased with increasing G/B for the same H/B. When the detached splitter place was installed, vortices rotating in opposite directions were generated on its upper and lower sides. Reverse flow was caused by the vortices in the wake region of the square prism, and the prism drag was decreased by the reverse flow.