NTL Record

Title Investigation of Stable Atmospheric Stratification Effect on the Dynamics of Descending Vortex Pairs
Record ID 42133
Personal Name
Creator
Hecht, A. M.; Bilanin, A. J.; Hirsh, J. E.; Snedeker, R. S.
Source 130p. im various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Publication Date 19790201
Language English
Abstract The physics of vortex flows in stratified fluids is studied with the objective of determining the influence of stable stratification on the descent of aircraft vortex pairs. Vortex rings descending into linear and discontinuous density stratifications are investigated experimentally and simulated numerically. The computer code used for this is based on a second-order closure turbulence model of the Reynolds stress equations in axisymmetric coordinates. Verification of the code is provided by the agreement found between the measured and calculated results. The two-dimensional version of the code is then used to simulate a measured Boeing-747 vortex descending in stable stratification. The strength and tightness of the measured vortex cores have necessitated developedment of a new method of numerically calculating strong vortex flows. The comparison of measured with calculated descent velocity, descent distance, swirl velocity, and circulation in the vortex is in agreement. It is concluded that turbulence effects must be accounted for in the study of aircraft vortex behavior. It is found that unaleviated vortices remain strong during descent, that the vortices stop descending due to a diffuse region of countersign vorticity outboard and above the cores, and that core separation does not primarily control descent.
Public Note Introduction, Description of the vortex-ring experiment, Vortex-ring numerical calculation technique, Comparison of numerical results with vortex-ring experimental data, Comparison of two-dimensional wake calculations with full-scale flight data, Discussion and conclusions, Appendix
Rosap ID dot:9375
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9375
TRT Terms Vortices; Properties of the atmosphere; Flight tests; Jet transports; Mathematical models
General Subjects Aircraft trailing vortices; Vortex behavior; Stratified atmosphere; Vortices; Atmospheric conditions; Flight tests; Jet transports; Mathematical models
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Air Traffic Control;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Energy and Environment
Geographical
Coverage
United States
OCLC 9014223
Contract Number DOT-TSC-1488
Report Number DOT-TSC-FAA-79-04; FAA-RD-79-10
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/42000/42100/42133/DOT-TSC-FAA-79-4.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository