Prediction of viscous trailing vortex structure from basic loading parameters

An analytical method has been developed to predict the structure of a fully developed trailing vortex with a viscous core. Vortex structure is calculated from the load distribution on the generating wing and fundamental conservation laws are satisfied. The present rollup model implicitly addresses viscous effects in the vortex core region by assuming a turbulent mixing process in the core during formation. Mixing theory suggests the appropriate functional form of the solution velocity profiles within this region, with constants that are determined uniquely by the method for arbitrary wing loading distributions. Important structural properties such as vortex strength, core size, and peak swirl velocity are calculated directly from these solution constants. The viscous core model was validated against two recent experimental studies, which provided new insight into vortex growth.

Duke Scholars

Author Donald B. Bliss Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...