Multi-scale vortical structure analysis on large eddy simulation of dune wake flow

Abstract

The three-dimensional dune wake flow is evaluated by large eddy simulation at a Reynolds number of 5,534, and validated by time-averaged results of particle image velocimetry measurement at a central streamwise plane. To reveal multi-scale characteristics of vortical structure, the instantaneous velocity, vorticity, and pressure were decomposed into the large-, intermediate- and small-scale components by three-dimensional wavelet multi-resolution technique, the scale of each wavelet component is quantified by two-point autocorrelation function with the central scale of 43, 20 and 9.6 mm, respectively. It is found that large-scale structure determines the formation of separation bubble and makes the most significance to the vorticity. Some intermediate-scale and small-scale streamwise vortices cause the upwelling of vortical structures, and they tend to be more active at the downstream. By visualization of pressure distribution, we can find that pressure distribution is mainly characterized by large-scale structure, and the distribution of small-scale structure can be interfered as a reason why large-scale vortical structure breaks into small vortices at the near outlet region.