Eigenvalues of the 3D critical point equation (∇u)ν = λν are normally computed numerically. In the letter, we present analytic solutions for 3D swirling strength in both compressible and incompressible flows. The solutions expose functional dependencies that cannot be seen in numerical solutions. To illustrate, we study the difference between using fluctuating and total velocity gradient tensors for vortex identification. Results show that mean shear influences vortex detection and that distortion can occur, depending on the strength of mean shear relative to the vorticity at the vortex center.
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- Analytic Solutions for Three-Dimensional Swirling Strength in Compressible and Incompressible Flows
- Chen, Huai (Author)
- Adrian, Ronald (Author)
- Zhong, Qiang (Author)
- Wang, Xingkui (Author)
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering (Contributor)
- School for the Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy (Contributor)
- Digital object identifier: 10.1063/1.4893343
- Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value1070-6631
- Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value1089-7666
- Copyright 2014 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in PHYSICS OF FLUIDS 26, 8 (2014) and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4893343, opens in a new window
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Chen, Huai, Adrian, Ronald J., Zhong, Qiang, & Wang, Xingkui (2014). Analytic solutions for three dimensional swirling strength in compressible and incompressible flows. PHYSICS OF FLUIDS, 26(8), 081701. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4893343