Skip to main content
Log in

Experiments on asymmetric vortex pair interaction with the ground

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The interaction between the asymmetric vortex pair and the ground was experimentally investigated in a closed-circuit water channel for the current study. Particle image velocimetry tests were conducted to achieve the velocity measurements of flow fields at various crossflow planes. The vortex pair, with the reference circulation Reynolds number ReΓ ≈ 4490, was tested with various initial heights (h0/b0 = 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5) and circulation ratios (λ = 0.36:1, 1:0.36, 0.6:1, 1:0.6), with it being found that according to different interaction effects, the trajectory and merger of the vortex pair could be significantly affected. As the primary vortex pair approached the ground, a high turbulent kinetic energy region was observed between the secondary and primary vortical structures, which suggests violent interaction and accelerated circulation decay of the primary vortex. In addition, depending on the distribution of secondary vorticity and image vortices to the moving coordinate system, merging-promoting or -inhibiting effects were observed, which eventually affected the evolution of the primary vortex pair.

Graphic abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

a :

Vortex core radius

b :

Vortex separation

b 0 :

Initial vortex separation

c :

Root chord length

d L :

Distance between γS and VL

d R :

Distance between γS and VR

h :

Height of the primary vortex

h 0 :

Initial height of the primary vortex

M :

Number of streamwise locations

m i :

Intersection of the ξ axis and the maximum vorticity line

N S :

Number of γS

n j :

Intersection of the η axis and the maximum vorticity line

PIV:

Particle image velocimetry

r :

Pearson coefficients

TKE:

Normalized turbulent kinetic energy

U :

Free-stream velocity

U I :

Accumulated net induced velocities

u I :

Relative velocity component along the ξ axis induced by γS

u IL :

Induced velocity component on the VL from γS

u IL :

Magnitude of uIL along the ξ axis

u IR :

Induced velocity component on the VR from γS

u IR :

Magnitude of uIR along the ξ axis

\(u_{y}^{{\prime }}\) :

Velocity fluctuation in the direction of the y-axis

\(u_{z}^{{\prime }}\) :

Velocity fluctuation in the direction of the z-axis

V L :

Primary left vortex

V R :

Primary right vortex

x :

Streamwise coordinate

y :

Lateral (spanwise) coordinate

y S :

Lateral (spanwise) coordinate of γS

z :

Vertical coordinate

z L :

Vertical coordinate of VL

z R :

Vertical coordinate of VR

z S :

Vertical coordinate of γS

Γ :

Circulation of the primary vortex

Γ 0 :

Initial primary vortex circulation

Γ L :

Circulation of VL

Γ R :

Circulation of VR

Γ ref :

Reference circulation

γ S :

Arbitrary circulation element of secondary vorticity

θ L :

Orientation angles between the ξ axis (positive direction) and uIL

θ R :

Orientation angles between the ξ axis (positive direction) and uIR

λ :

Circulation ratio

ν :

Kinematic viscosity

ξη :

Moving coordinate

σ :

Area of the circulation element of secondary vorticity

ω S :

Vorticity intensity of γS

References

  • Akkermans RAD, Cieslik AR, Kamp LPJ, Trieling RR, Clercx HJH, Van Heijst GJF (2008a) The three-dimensional structure of an electromagnetically generated dipolar vortex in a shallow fluid layer. Phys Fluids 20(11):116601

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Akkermans RAD, Kamp LPJ, Clercx HJH, Van Heijst GJF (2008b) Intrinsic three-dimensionality in electromagnetically driven shallow flows. Europhys Lett 83:24001

    Google Scholar 

  • Aref H (1979) Motion of three vortices. Phys Fluids 22(3)

  • Baker GR, Barker SJ, Bofah KK, Saffman PG (1974) Laser anemometer measurements of trailing vortices in water. J Fluid Mech 65:325–336

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldacchino D, Ferreira C, Ragni D, Bussel GJW (2016) Point vortex modelling of the wake dynamics behind asymmetric vortex generator arrays. J Phys 753(2):022–025

    Google Scholar 

  • Brandt LK, Nomura KK (2007) The physics of vortex merger and the effects of ambient stable stratification. J Fluid Mech 592(9):413–446

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Breitsamter C (2011) Wake vortex characteristics of transport aircraft. Prog Aerosp Sci 47(2):89–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Cerretelli C, Williamson CHK (2003) The physical mechanism for vortex merging. J Fluid Mech 475(475):41–77

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Devenport WJ, Rife MC, Liapis SI, Follin GJ (1996) The structure and development of a wing-tip vortex. J Fluid Mech 312:67–106

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Donnadieu C, Ortiz S, Chomaz JM, Billant P (2009) Three-dimensional instabilities and transient growth of a counter-rotating vortex pair. Phys Fluids 21(9):094–102

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Dritschel DG, Waugh DW (1992) Quantification of the inelastic interaction of unequal vortices in two-dimensional vortex dynamics. Phys Fluids 4(8):1737–1744

    Google Scholar 

  • Dup Donaldson C, Bilanin AJ (1975) Vortex wakes of conventional aircraft, Aeronautical Research Associates of Princeton, Inc. AGARD-AG-204

  • Folz PJR, Nomura KK (2017) A quantitative assessment of viscous asymmetric vortex pair interactions. J Fluid Mech 829:1–30

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Gerz T, Holzäpfel F, Darracq D (2002) Commercial aircraft wake vortices. Prog Aerosp Sci 38:181–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris DM, Williamson CHK (2012) Instability of secondary vortices generated by a vortex pair in ground effect. J Fluid Mech 700(6):148–186

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey JK, Perry FJ (1971) Flowfield produced by trailing vortices in the vicinity of the ground. AIAA J 9(9):1659–1660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang MJ (2005) The physical mechanism of symmetric vortex merger: a new viewpoint. Phys Fluids 17(7):074105

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Huang MJ (2006) A Comparison between asymmetric and symmetric vortex mergers. In: WSEAS international conference on fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, pp 99–104

  • Jiménez J, Moffatt HK, Vasco C (1996) The structure of the vortices in freely decaying two-dimensional turbulence. J Fluid Mech 313

  • Jing F, Kanso E, Newton PK (2012) Insights into symmetric and asymmetric vortex mergers using the core growth model. Phys Fluids 24(7):97–129

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Kliment LK, Rokhsaz K (2008) Experimental investigation of pairs of vortex filaments in ground effect. J Aircr 45(2):622–629

    Google Scholar 

  • Lazar E, Deblauw B, Glumac N, Dutton C, and Elliott G (2010) A practical approach to PIV uncertainty analysis. In: AIAA aerodynamic measurement technology & ground testing conference

  • Melander MV, Zabusky NJ, Mcwilliams JC (1987) Asymmetric vortex merger in two dimensions: Which vortex is ‘victorious’? Phys Fluids 30(9):2610–2612

    Google Scholar 

  • Melander MV, Zabusky NJ, Mcwilliams JC (1988) Symmetric vortex merger in two dimensions: causes and conditions. J Fluid Mech 195(195):303–340

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Meunier P, Leweke T (2001) Three-dimensional instability during vortex merging. Phys Fluids 13(10):2747–2750

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Meunier P, Dizès SL, Leweke T (2005) Physics of vortex merging. C R Phys 6(4):431–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell TB, Driscoll CF (1996) Electron vortex orbits and merger. Phys Fluids 8(7):18–28

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura KK, Brandt L (2010) Characterization of the interaction of two unequal co-rotating vortices. J Fluid Mech 646(5):233–253

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad A (2000) Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry. Exp Fluids 29:103–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Puel F, Victor XDS (2000) Interaction of wake vortices with the ground. Aerosp Sci Technol 4(4):239–247

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Robins RE, Delisi DP, Greene GC (2001) Algorithm for prediction of trailing vortex evolution. J Aircr 38(5):911–917

    Google Scholar 

  • Spalart PR (1998) Airplane trailing vortices. Annu Rev Fluid Mech 30(1):107–138

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Stephan A, Holzäpfel F, Misaka T (2014) Hybrid simulation of wake-vortex evolution during landing on flat terrain and with plate line. Int J Heat Fluid Flow 49:18–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Trieling RR, Velasco Fuentes OU, Van Heijst GJF (2005) Interaction of two unequal co-rotating vortices. Phys Fluids 17(8):087–103

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Van Heijst GJF, Clercx HJH (2009) Laboratory modeling of geophysical vortices. Annu Rev Fluid Mech 41(1):143–164

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Veillette PR (2002) Data show that US wake-turbulence accidents are most frequent at low altitude and during approach and landing. Flight Saf Digest 21(3–4):1–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YP, Liu PQ, Hu TX, Qu QL (2016) Investigation of co-rotating vortex merger in ground proximity. Aerosp Sci Technol 53:116–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YP, Liu PQ, Hu TX, Qu QL, Chen QM, Akkermans RAD (2019) Experimental investigations on the interaction of the single/co-rotating vortex with the ground. AIAA J 57(3):1–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda I, Flierl GR (1995) Two-dimensional asymmetric vortex merger: contour dynamics experiment. J Oceanogr 51(2):145–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda I, Flierl GR (1997) Two-dimensional asymmetric vortex merger: merger dynamics and critical merger distance. Dyn Atmos Oceans 26(3):159–181

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, under Grant Numbers 11850410440, 11772033 and 117221202.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tianxiang Hu.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, Q., Hu, T., Liu, P. et al. Experiments on asymmetric vortex pair interaction with the ground. Exp Fluids 61, 150 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-020-02987-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-020-02987-7

Navigation