"THREE-DIMENSIONAL VORTEX-SURFACE INTERACTIONS"

THE SEVENTH ASIAN CONFERENCE ON FLUID DYNAMICS DEC 8-12, 1997, MADRAS, INDIA

R Mahalingam, NM Komerath, RB Funk, JM Kim

ABSTRACT Vortex-surface interactions of various orientations and relative scales occur in rotorcraft aerodynamics. Basic test cases at high Reynolds number involving cylinders, airfoils and flat plates are used to study the detailed collision processes. The surface pressure distribution is related to the 3-dimensional nature of the vortex-core dynamics, with the core axial velocity playing a crucial role. The phenomena during unsteady cylinder-vortex interaction are summarized. Rapid, oblique vortex-lifting surface interaction causes 3-D separation, alleviated by spanwise flow. Quasi-steady perpendicular vortex/airfoil interaction shows vortex splitting and secondary separation, but no recombination.