Vortex motion in a weak background shear flow
Bajer, Konrad; Bassom, Andrew P.; Gilbert, Andrew D.
Date: 2004
Journal
Journal of Fluid Mechanics
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publisher DOI
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Abstract
A point vortex is introduced into a weak background vorticity gradient at finite Reynolds number. As the vortex spreads viscously so the background vorticity becomes wrapped around it, leading to enhanced diffusion of vorticity, but also giving a feedback on the vortex and causing it to move. This is investigated in the linear ...
A point vortex is introduced into a weak background vorticity gradient at finite Reynolds number. As the vortex spreads viscously so the background vorticity becomes wrapped around it, leading to enhanced diffusion of vorticity, but also giving a feedback on the vortex and causing it to move. This is investigated in the linear approximation, using a similarity solution for the advection of weak vorticity around the vortex, at finite and infinite Reynolds number. A logarithmic divergence in the far field requires the introduction of an outer length scale $L$ and asymptotic matching. In this way results are obtained for the motion of a vortex in a weak vorticity field modulated on the large scale $L$ and these are confirmed by means of numerical simulations.
Mathematics and Statistics
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
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