The effect of structural stiffness variations on the onset of cross-flow VIV

This brief communication discusses test results in an earlier publication, which reveal that the onset of vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a cylindrical structure is greatly influenced by its stiffness variations. An explanation is provided and a dimensionless parameter is proposed as an indicator to the onset of the cross-flow motion. The importance of this finding to VIV design of the cylindrical structures for marine applications is suggested.