Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Commons^™

Analysis Of A Non-Equilibrium Vortex Pair As Aircraft Trailing Vortices, Manuel Ayala

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Shortly after the roll-up evolution of the vortex sheet behind the wings of an aircraft, a coherent counter-rotating vortex pair emerges. Presence of this vortex pair in the downstream of an aircraft, creates unsafe conditions for other aircraft, especially near airport runways. Fundamental knowledge of the physics that govern the formation, duration and dissipation of aircraft wake vortices is desirable in order to improve aircraft operational safety. This study uses non-equilibrium pressure theory to develop an accurate model describing the physical behavior of the vortex pair created by an aircraft in the early to mid-field vortex regime. An isolated aircraft …