Wingtip vortex structure in the near-field of swept-tapered wings

Skinner, S.N., Green, R.B. and Zare-Behtash, H. (2020) Wingtip vortex structure in the near-field of swept-tapered wings. Physics of Fluids, 32(9), 095102. (doi: 10.1063/5.0016353)

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Abstract

Wingtip vortices are an important phenomenon in fluid dynamics due to their complex and negative impacts. Despite numerous studies, the current understanding of the inner vortex is very limited, thus a basis for the design of effective wingtip geometry and vortex manipulation is narrow. This work examines the structure of the trailing vortex shed from a swept-tapered wing; analogous to a commercial aircraft topology. Stereoscopic particle imaging velocimetry (sPIV) has been utilised to compare the vortex structure and development through several angles of attack at various downstream stations for a fixed Reynolds number (Re = 1.5 × 106). After correcting for vortex meander, through helicity-based spatial localisation of the vortex core, relationships between the vortex core velocity/vorticity fields, core shape, and turbulent properties have been examined. Subsequently, the vortex is found to exhibit a layered structure with slow linear rates of dissipation indicative of laminar diffusion mechanisms: despite being a turbulent vortex. The turbulent kinetic energy distribution in the vortex signals that relaminarisation of the inner core occurs. Consideration of the streamline curvature around the core, via examination of the local Richardson number, indicated that a laminar core structure had formed within which large scale turbulent eddies could not contribute to the turbulent diffusion of vorticity away from the core. The normalised circulation within the vortex core has been shown to exhibit self-similar behaviour typical of fully developed axisymmetric vortices.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Green, Dr Richard and SKINNER, SHAUN and Zare-Behtash, Dr Hossein
Authors: Skinner, S.N., Green, R.B., and Zare-Behtash, H.
Subjects:Q Science > Q Science (General)
Q Science > QA Mathematics
Q Science > QC Physics
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
Journal Name:Physics of Fluids
Publisher:AIP Publishing
ISSN:1070-6631
ISSN (Online):1089-7666
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Author(s)
First Published:First published in Physics of Fluids 32(9):095102
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
Data DOI:10.5525/gla.researchdata.1036

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
190699National Wind Tunnel FacilityFrank CotonEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/L024888/1ENG - Aerospace Sciences