An effect of an angle of attack on the aerodynamic characteristics of a freestream-aligned circular cylinder is investigated and discussed. The experiment without support interference was conducted using a magnetic suspension and balance system (MSBS) which can levitate and support a model. A cylindrical model with a fineness ratio of 1.0 was employed in wind tunnel tests. The Reynolds numbers based on the diameter of the model were $3.3\times {10}^4$ and $6.7\times {10}^4$. The range of the angle of attack is from 0 to ${15}^{\circ }$. Aerodynamic forces and velocity fields were obtained by the MSBS and particle image velocimetry. The results of the time-averaged aerodynamic force and moment coefficients and the time-averaged velocity field illustrate that the flow reattachment occurs at an angle of $9^{\circ }$ or more. The flow reattachment changes the aerodynamic characteristics, especially the lift and pitching moment coefficients and the lift force fluctuations.

• Received 15 August 2022
• Accepted 2 February 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.8.024701