On vortex evolution in the wake of axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric low-aspect-ratio accelerating plates

Abstract

Impulsively started, low-aspect-ratio elliptical and rectangular flat plates were investigated to determine the role of geometric asymmetries on vortex evolution. Dye visualizations, force measurements, and particle image velocimetry were used throughout to characterize the variation between shapes. For all the shapes studied, aspect ratio was observed to have the largest influence on force production and vortex evolution. Non-uniform curvature and edge discontinuities characteristic of ellipses (with aspect ratios other than one) and rectangles, respectively, play a secondary role. Furthermore, it was shown that stably attached vortex rings form behind the circular and square flat plates, which reduce the instantaneous drag force of each plate until the vortex rings break down. In contrast, all flat plates with aspect ratios other than one are subjected to fast-modulating elliptical vortex rings in the wake. These vortex rings increase the drag force of each plate until pinch-off occurs. Finally, pinch-off was identified with the streamwise pressure-gradient field and compared with formation numbers calculated using the circulation-based methodology, yielding good agreement for all plates with aspect ratios greater than one.