Title: Direct numerical simulation of helical vortices

Authors: Ivan Delbende; Maurice Rossi; Benjamin Piton

Addresses: UPMC, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, LIMSI-CNRS, UPR3251, BP133, 91403 Orsay Cedex, France. ' UPMC, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, IJLRA-UPMC, UMR7190, 75232 Paris Cedex 05, France. ' UPMC, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, LIMSI-CNRS, UPR3251, BP133, 91403 Orsay Cedex, France

Abstract: We herein present a direct numerical simulation method aimed at describing the dynamics of helical vortices such as those developing in the wake of propellers and wind turbine or helicopter rotors. By enforcing a helical symmetry, the 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are reduced to a 2D problem which we solve using a generalised vorticity/streamfunction formulation. In this framework, we simulate the viscous dynamics of one or several helical vortices and describe quasi-steady states as well as long-time (or far-wake) dynamics. In particular, several types of merging in the two helical vortex systems are identified.

Keywords: vortex dynamics; vortex merging; helical vortices; Navier-Stokes equations; numerical simulation; wake; propellers; wind turbines; helicopter rotors; viscous dynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2012.044847

International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation, 2012 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.94 - 101

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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