Effects of Reynolds number on leading-edge vortex formation dynamics and stability in revolving wings

The mechanisms of leading-edge vortex (LEV) formation and its stable attachment to revolving wings depend highly on Reynolds number ( $\textit {Re}$ ). In this study, using numerical methods, we examined the $\textit {Re}$ dependence of LEV formation dynamics and stability on revolving wings with $\textit {Re}$ ranging from 10 to 5000. Our results show that the duration of the LEV formation period and its steady-state intensity both reduce significantly as $\textit {Re}$ decreases from 1000 to 10. Moreover, the primary mechanisms contributing to LEV stability can vary at different $\textit {Re}$ levels. At $\textit {Re} <200$ , the LEV stability is mainly driven by viscous diffusion. At $200<\textit {Re} <1000$ , the LEV is maintained by two distinct vortex-tilting-based mechanisms, i.e. the planetary vorticity tilting and the radial–tangential vorticity balance. At $\textit {Re}>1000$ , the radial–tangential vorticity balance becomes the primary contributor to LEV stability, in addition to secondary contributions from tip-ward vorticity convection, vortex compression and planetary vorticity tilting. It is further shown that the regions of tip-ward vorticity convection and tip-ward pressure gradient almost overlap at high $\textit {Re}$ . In addition, the contribution of planetary vorticity tilting in LEV stability is $\textit {Re}$ -independent. This work provides novel insights into the various mechanisms, in particular those of vortex tilting, in driving the LEV formation and stability on low- $\textit {Re}$ revolving wings.

Compressive Capacity of Vortex-Compression Nodular Piles

Compared with traditional equal-section pile, the nodular parts of nodular pile expand the contact area between the pile and foundation soil, which can greatly improve the bearing capacity of pile foundation and increase the stability of pile body structure. In this paper, the mechanism of pile-soil interaction in the construction of vortex-compression nodular pile is studied with the purpose of evaluating the compressive capacity of nodular piles. Through the indoor model test and ABAQUS numerical simulation analysis, the compressive characteristics of 12 types of vortex-compression nodular pile are obtained, and the variation rules of the parameters of the compressive characteristics of vortex-compression nodular piles are quantitatively analyzed, including the failure pattern of foundation soil, load-settlement relationship, and load transfer law of vortex-compression nodular piles. The results showed that the compressive capacity of vortex-compression nodular piles has significant advantages over that of traditional equal-section piles. Based on the results of the indoor model test and numerical simulation, the calculation method and formula of the compressive capacity of vortex-compression nodular piles are given by modifying the corresponding calculation formula of traditional nodular piles. The new method and formula are more in line with the actual working conditions and provide theoretical and data support for the further engineering application of vortex-compression nodular piles.

Study on Bearing Capacity of Tank Foundation with Alternatively Arranged Vortex-Compression Nodular Piles

Types of tapered piles are widely applied in tank foundation consolidation, but their inherent deficiencies in design and construction limit their further promotion. Vortex compression pile is a novel nodular pile. Compared with the traditional equal-section pile, vortex compression nodular pile is featured by stronger bearing capacity and slighter settlement. In this paper, the model test results showed that vortex compression nodular pile can greatly improve the bearing capacity and reduce the settlement. Through the finite element software ABAQUS analysis the bearing characteristics of equal-section pile foundation and vortex-compression nodular pile foundation were compared. The three-dimensional solid model was established by ABAQUS finite element software. The impact of cushion modulus, cushion thickness, vertical load, pile modulus, soil modulus around the pile on the bearing capacity of the vortex-compression nodular pile foundation were studied.

Vortex stretching and compression near the turbulent/non-turbulent interface in a planar jet

Vortex stretching and compression, which cause enstrophy production by inviscid processes, are investigated near the turbulent/non-turbulent (T/NT) interface in a planar jet by using a direct numerical simulation (DNS). The enstrophy production is investigated by analysing the relationship among a vorticity vector, strain-rate eigenvectors and strain-rate eigenvalues. The statistics are calculated individually for three different interface orientations. The vorticity near the T/NT interface is oriented in the tangential direction to the interface. The enstrophy production is affected by the interface orientation because the intensity of vortex stretching depends on the interface orientation, and the alignment between the vorticity vector and the strain-rate eigenvectors is confined by the interface. The enstrophy production near the T/NT interface is analysed by considering the motion of turbulent fluid relative to that of the interface. The results show that the alignment between the interface and the strain-rate eigenvectors changes depending on the velocity field near the T/NT interface. When the turbulent fluid moves toward the T/NT interface, the enstrophy is generated by vortex stretching without being greatly affected by vortex compression. In contrast, when the turbulent fluid relatively moves away from the T/NT interface, large enstrophy reduction frequently occurs by vortex compression. Thus, it is shown that the velocity field near the T/NT interface affects the enstrophy production near the interface through the alignment between the vorticity and the strain-rate eigenvectors.