Computation of a Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability for Delta Wing Vortex Flows

Abstract

The structure of the shear layer which emanates from the leading edge of a 76 degrees sweep delta wing and forms the primary vortex is investigated numerically. The flow conditions are M at infinity = 0.2, Re = 50,000 and angle of attack of 20.5 degrees. Computational results are obtained using a Beam- Warning type algorithm. The existence of a Kelvin-Helmholtz type instability of the shear layer which emanates from the leading edge of the delta wing is demonstrated. A description is provided of the three-dimensional, unsteady behavior of the small-scale vortices associated with this instability. The numerical results are compared qualitatively with experimental flow visualizations exhibiting similar behavior.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA244320

Entities

People

  • Raymond E. Gordnier

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Boundaries
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computations
  • Equations
  • Flow
  • Flow Visualization
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Geometry
  • Leading Edges
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Reynolds Number
  • Three Dimensional
  • Turbulent Mixing
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics.