Engineering Commons^™

Topology Tracking For The Visualization Of Time-Dependent Two-Dimensional Flows, Xavier Tricoche, Thomas Wischgoll, Gerik Scheuermann, Hans Hagen

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

The paper presents a topology-based visualization method for time-dependent two-dimensional vector fields. A time interpolation enables the accurate tracking of critical points and closed orbits as well as the detection and identification of structural changes. This completely characterizes the topology of the unsteady flow. Bifurcation theory provides the theoretical framework. The results are conveyed by surfaces that separate subvolumes of uniform flow behavior in a three-dimensional space–time domain.

Closed Streamlines In Flow Visualization, Thomas Wischgoll

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Vector Fields occur in many of the problems in science and engineering. In combustion processes for instance, vector fields describe the flow of the gas. This process can be enhanced using vector field visualization techniques. Also wind tunnel experiments can be analyzed. An example is the design of an air wing. The wing can be optimized to crate a smoother flow around it. Vector field visualization methods help the engineer to detect critical features of the flow. Consequently, feature detection methods gained great importance during the last years.

Topological methods are often used to visualize vector fields because they clearly …