The hydrodynamics that take place within tandem plate geometry have been linked to failure modes for many diverse applications. Of particular interest is the recent nuclear fuel qualification activities taking place at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Lab (INL). This new fuel plate qualification activities lead to the AFIP-6 Mk II experiment. During AFIP-6 Mk II rectangular fuel plates in tandem orientation were placed inside a flow field which resulted in a trailing plate entirely breaking off and therefore, compromising the design. Vortex induced vibrations were linked to the failure mode experienced by the plate but it is unknown to what extent does the tandem geometry of the plates is directly responsible for altering the frequency of the vortex shedding.  Theoretical solutions for characterizing the vortex shedding frequency only exist for tandem cylinders and single plates but not for plates in a tandem orientation. 

The motivation behind this work is to provide a basis for confidently modeling the flow characteristics of rectangular plates in tandem arrangement, through the use of a CFD tool. This is relevant in order to expand upon the limited experimental data available and developed to directly study the conditions of the flow as it originates the VIV phenomena.