Dynamics of a deformable body in a fast flowing soap film

Abstract

We study the behavior of an elastic loop embedded in a flowing soap film. This deformable loop is wetted into the film and is held fixed at a single point against the oncoming flow. We interpret this system as a two-dimensional flexible body interacting in a two-dimensional flow. This coupled fluid-structure system shows bistability, with both stationary and oscillatory states. In its stationary state, the loop remains essentially motionless and its wake is a von K\'arm\'an vortex street. In its oscillatory state, the loop sheds two vortex dipoles, or more complicated vortical structures, within each oscillation period. We find that the oscillation frequency of the loop is linearly proportional to the flow velocity, and that the measured Strouhal numbers can be separated based on wake structure.