Output details

Application of the VORTFIND algorithm for the identification of vortical flow features around complex three-dimensional geometries

Significance of output:

Computational fluid dynamics is a key tool in optimising the hydrodynamic or aerodynamic performance many vehicles. In order to correctly predict the fluid forces and moments acting on a vehicle it is crucial to well resolve any vortical flow structures which maintain proximity to the vehicle, since their low pressure core interacts with the body’s pressure field, modifying the global forces. The VORTFIND algorithm presented in this paper allows automated identification of an unknown number of vortices in complex three dimensional flow fields. When embedded in an adaptive meshing strategy it is shown to improve the fidelity of numerical results.