Effects of sound on bluff body aerodynamic characteristics in separated and reattaching flows

The coupling effects between sound and flow on the aerodynamic characteristics of bluff bodies are commonly encountered in engineering practices, such as wind turbine blades and heat exchanger compressors. This study experimentally investigates the effects of sound over a broad range of frequencies (0–400 Hz) and sound pressure levels (80–105 dB) on the streamwise wind pressures on a flat plate in both smooth and turbulent flows. Spectral analysis and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) are employed to explore the effects of sound on the aerodynamic forces acting on the flat plate. The results show that the effects of sound on wind pressure distributions and separation bubble behaviors over the flat plate depend on both sound frequency and sound pressure level. Furthermore, the findings highlight the role of acoustic resonance, which can increase the fluctuating wind pressure on the plate surface by over 400%. These effects can also be influenced by sound pressure levels. Additionally, the results demonstrate varying degrees and forms of attenuation of sound effects in turbulent flows, depending on the wind flow characteristics.