Author(s): Akihiko Nakayama; Desi Jiao
Linked Author(s): Akihiko Nakayama
Keywords: Three dimensional flow; Velocity-gradiend tensor; Intake; Vortex
Abstract: In order to examine local properties of three-dimensional complex flows with locally varying strengths of shear and vorticity with isolated vortices, a new method of flow diagnostics based on invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor has been proposed and tested with laminar flows in intake bay. The results indicate that the flow topology can be effectively found by the phase plot of the second and third invariants of the velocity-gradient tensor, while vortex structure can be better identified by the three-dimensional plots of the second invariant of the rotation tensor.
Year: 2001