Convergence of the point vortex method for the 3-D euler equations

We prove consistency, stability, and convergence of a point vortex approximation to the 3-D incompressible Euler equations with smooth solutions. The 3-D algorithm we consider here is similar to the corresponding 3-D vortex blob algorithm introduced by Beale and Majda; see [3]. We first show that the discretization error is second-order accurate. Then we show that the method is stable in l^p norm for the particle trajectories and in w^?1.p norm for discrete vorticity. Consequently, the method converges up to any time for which the Euler equations have a smooth solution. One immediate application of our convergence result is that the vortex filament method without smoothing also converges.     

THE VORTEX BLOB METHOD AS A SECOND-GRADE NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID

We show that a certain class of vortex blob approximations for ideal hydrodynamics in two dimensions can be rigorously understood as solutions to the equations of second-grade non-Newtonian fluids with zero viscosity and initial data in the space of Radon measures M (R ²). The solutions of this regularized PDE, also known as the isotropic Lagrangian averaged Euler or Euler-α equations, are geodesics on the volume preserving diffeomorphism group with respect to a new weak right invariant metric. We prove global existence of unique weak solutions (geodesics) for initial vorticity in M (R ²) such as point-vortex data, and show that the associated coadjoint orbit is preserved by the flow. Moreover, solutions of this particular vortex blob method converge to solutions of the Euler equations with bounded initial vorticity, provided that the initial data is approximated weakly in measure, and the total variation of the approximation also converges. In particular, this includes grid-based approximation schemes as are common in practical vortex computations.     

A computational study of the error in the vortex method associated with discontinuous vorticity

We investigate computationally the error computed by the vortex method for a discontinuous patch of vorticity. Specifically, the computed velocity and vorticity of an elliptical path of constant vorticity, known as the Kirchhoff ellipse, are compared to the analytic velocity and vorticity. The error in the velocity and the vorticity for the Kirchhoff ellipse as computed by the vortex method is presented. This error is studied as a function of the aspect ratio of the ellipse, the blob function, the spacing between the centers of the computational elements, and the blob radius. Both the error at the initial time and the error after three revolutions of the ellipse are discussed. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Long time existence for a slightly perturbed vortex sheet

Consider a flat two-dimensional vortex sheet perturbed initially by a small analytic disturbance. By a formal perturbation analysis, Moore derived an approximate differential equation for the evolution of the vortex sheet. We present a simplified derivation of Moore's approximate equation and analyze errors in the approximation. The result is used to prove existence of smooth solutions for long time. If the initial perturbation is of size ? and is analytic in a strip |??m γ| < ρ, existence of a smooth solution of Birkhoff's equation is shown for time t < k2p, if ? is sufficiently small, with κ → 1 as ? → 0. For the particular case of sinusoidal data of wave length π and amplitude e, Moore's analysis and independent numerical results show singularity development at time t^c = |log ?| + O(log|log ?|. Our results prove existence for t < κ|log ?|, if ? is sufficiently small, with k κ → 1 as ? → 0. Thus our existence results are nearly optimal.     

Rotatingn-gon/kn-gon vortex configurations

Summary We demonstrate the existence of stationary point-vortex configurations consisting ofk vortexn-gons and a vortexkn-gon. These configurations exist only for specific values of the vortex strengths; the relative vortex strengths of such a consiguration can be uniquely expressed as functions of the radii of the polygons. Thekn-gon must be oriented so as to be fixed by any reflection fixing one of then-gons; for sufficiently smallk, we show that then-gons must be oriented in such a way that the entire configuration shares the symmetries of any of then-gons. Necessary conditions for the formal stability of general stationary point-vortex configurations set conditions on the vortex strengths. We apply these conditions to then-gon/kn-gon configurations and carry out a complete linear and formal stability analysis in the casek=n=2, showing that linearly and nonlinearly orbitally stable configurations exist.     

The influence of turbulence on a columnar vortex with axial flow

The interaction between a columnar vortex and external turbulence is investigated numerically. A q -vortex is immersed in an initially isotropic homogeneous turbulence field, which itself is produced numerically by a direct numerical simulation of decaying turbulence. The formation of turbulent eddies around the columnar vortex and the vortex-core deformations are studied in detail by visualizing the flow field. In the less-stable case with q = –1.5, small thin spiral structures are formed inside the vortex core. In the unstable case with q = –0.45, the linear unstable modes grow until the columnar vortex make one turn. Its growth rate agrees with that of the linear analysis of Mayer and Powell[1]. After two turns of the vortex, the secondary instability is excited, which causes collapse of the columnar q -vortex and the sudden appearance of many fine scale vortices. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Effect of the Backward-Facing Step Height on Flow in a Channel with Rectangular Cross Section

The investigation of a channel flow with a backward-facing step on one wall is described. The height of the incoming channel H is adjustable as to allow alter the ratio of step height h over H; h/H = 1 : 10, 1 : 4, 1.02 : 1(h + H = 0.275m). Mutual correlations between the extremes of static pressure distributions, limits of the separation zone and of the corner vortex structures and Reynolds number are discussed. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Homostrophic vortex interaction under external strain,in a coupled QG-SQG model

The interaction between two co-rotating vortices, embedded in a steady external strain field, is studied in a coupled Quasi-Geostrophic — Surface Quasi-Geostrophic (hereafter referred to as QG-SQG) model. One vortex is an anomaly of surface density, and the other is an anomaly of internal potential vorticity. The equilibria of singular point vortices and their stability are presented first. The number and form of the equilibria are determined as a function of two parameters: the external strain rate and the vertical separation between the vortices. A curve is determined analytically which separates the domain of existence of one saddle-point, and that of one neutral point and two saddle-points. Then, a Contour-Advective Semi-Lagrangian (hereafter referred to as CASL) numerical model of the coupled QG-SQG equations is used to simulate the time-evolution of a sphere of uniform potential vorticity, with radius R at depth −2H interacting with a disk of uniform density anomaly, with radius R, at the surface. In the absence of external strain, distant vortices co-rotate, while closer vortices align vertically, either completely or partially (depending on their initial distance). With strain, a fourth regime appears in which vortices are strongly elongated and drift away from their common center, irreversibly. An analysis of the vertical tilt and of the horizontal deformation of the internal vortex in the regimes of partial or complete alignment is used to quantify the three-dimensional deformation of the internal vortex in time. A similar analysis is performed to understand the deformation of the surface vortex.     

Mathematical analysis of vortex sheets

We consider the motion of the interface separating two domains of the same fluid that moves with different velocities along the tangential direction of the interface. The evolution of the interface (the vortex sheet) is governed by the Birkhoff‐Rott (BR) equations. We consider the question of the weakest possible assumptions such that the Birkhoff‐Rott equation makes sense. This leads us to introduce chord‐arc curves to this problem. We present three results. The first can be stated as the following: Assume that the Birkhoff‐Rott equation has a solution in a weak sense and that the vortex strength is bounded away from 0 and ∞. Moreover, assume that the solution gives rise to a vortex sheet curve that is chord‐arc. Then the curve is automatically smooth, in fact analytic, for fixed time. The second and third results demonstrate that the Birkhoff‐Rott equation can be solved if and only if only half the initial data is given. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Lagrangian chaos and multiphase processes in vortex flows

We discuss experimental and numerical studies of the effects of Lagrangian chaos (chaotic advection) on the stretching of a drop of an immiscible impurity in a flow. We argue that the standard capillary number used to describe this process is inadequate since it does not account for advection of a drop between regions of the flow with varying velocity gradient. Consequently, we propose a Lagrangian-generalized capillary number C_L number based on finite-time Lyapunov exponents. We present preliminary tests of this formalism for the stretching of a single drop of oil in an oscillating vortex flow, which has been shown previously to exhibit Lagrangian chaos. Probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the stretching of this drop have features that are similar to PDFs of C_L. We also discuss on-going experiments that we have begun on drop stretching in a blinking vortex flow.     

Dynamics of planar vortex clusters with binaries

We study an N -vortex problem having J of them forming a cluster, which means the distances between the vortices in the cluster is much smaller by O (ε) than the distances, O (ℓ), to the N – J vortices outside of the cluster. With the strengths of N vortices being of the same order, the velocity and time scales for the motion of the J vortices relative to those of the N – J vortices are O (ε^–1) and O (ε²) respectively. We show that this two-time and two-length scale problem can be converted to a standard two-time scale problem and then the leading order solution of the N -vortex problem can be uncoupled to two problems, one for the motion of J vortices in the cluster relative to the center of the cluster and one for the motion of the N – J vortex plus the center of the cluster. For N = 3 and J = 2, the 3-vortex problem is uncoupled to two binary vortices problems in the length scales ℓ and ℓε respectively. When perturbed in the scale ℓ, say by a fourth vortex even of finite strength, the binary problem becomes a 3-vortex problem, admitting periodic solutions. Since 3-vortex problems are solvable, the uncoupling enables us to solve 3-cluster problems having at most three vortices in each cluster. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Double vortex condensates in the Chern-Simons-Higgs theory

For a selfdual model introduced by Hong-Kim-Pac [18] and Jackiw-Weinberg [19] we study the existence of double vortex-condensates“bifurcating” from the symmetric vacuum state as the Chern-Simons coupling parameter k tends to zero. Surprisingly, we show a connection between the asymptotic behavior of the given double vortex as with the existence of extremal functions for a Sobolev inequality of the Moser-Trudinger's type on the flat 2-torus ([22], [1] and [15]). In fact, our construction yields to a “best” minimizing sequence for the (non-coercive) associated extremal problem, in the sense that, the infimum is attained if and only if the given minimizing sequence admits a convergent subsequence. Received: March 3, 1998 / Accepted October 23, 1998     

Nontopological N‐vortex condensates for the self‐dual Chern‐Simons theory

We prove the existence of nontopological N‐vortex solutions for an arbitrary number N of vortex points for the self‐dual Chern‐Simons‐Higgs theory with 't Hooft “periodic” boundary conditions. We use a shadowing‐type lemma to glue together any number of single vortices obtained as a perturbation of a radially symmetric entire solution of the Liouville equation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Constructions of some exact vortex superposition solutions

In theoretical ways to solve the N-S equation, we will confront many difficulties. For example, the complex mathematical calculation, the 3D velocity components and the nonlinear terms, etc. We find that from the basis of Stokes-Helmholtz decomposition and after some processing, we can get a method of constructing the vortex superposition solutions. We get a set of exact solutions in different coordinates and we hope these solutions will be helpful to a clearer understanding of the vortex in Fluid Mechanics.     

On the use of splines for the numerical solution of nonlinear two-point boundary value problems

Cubic splines on splines and quintic spline interpolations are used to approximate the derivative terms in a highly accurate scheme for the numerical solution of two-point boundary value problems. The storage requirement is essentially the same as for the usual trapezoidal rule but the local accuracy is improved fromO(h ³) to eitherO(h ⁶) orO(h ⁷), whereh is the net size. The use of splines leads to solutions that reflect the smoothness of the slopes of the differential equations.     

Statistical mechanics of a vortex system in a thin superconducting film in the cyclic approximation. II. Finite thickness and vortex bending

An expression for the interaction between two pointlike vortices in a superconducting film of finite thickness is obtained. The result differs from the well-known Pearl result by the new effective penetration depth'= coth d/2. The partition function is calculated in the cyclic approximation and the vortex bending fluctuations are taken into account as in the quasiclassical approximation. The influence of both these correction terms on the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and the resistance curve is discussed.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Matematicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 104, No. 2, pp. 337–347, August, 1995.     

Numerical discovery and experimental confirmation of vortex ring generation by microramp vortex generator

An implicitly implemented large eddy simulation (ILES), by using the modified fifth order WENO scheme, is applied to study the flow around the microramp vortex generator (MVG) at Mach 2.5 and Re_θ = 5760. A series of new discoveries on the flow around supersonic MVG have been made by the UTA LES team including source of the momentum deficit, inflection points (surface in 3-D), Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and vortex ring generation. Most of the new discoveries, which were made by the UTA LES team and presented in 2009, were confirmed by experiment conducted by the UTA experiment team in 2010. A new 5-pair-vortex-tube model near the MVG is given based on the ILES observation.     

Stability of the Thomson vortex polygon with evenly many vortices outside a circular domain

We consider the stability problem for the stationary rotation of a regular point vortex n-gon lying outside a circular domain. After the article of Havelock (1931), the complete solution of the problem remains unclear in the case 2 ≤ n ≤ 6. We obtain the exhaustive results for evenly many vortices n = 2, 4, 6.     

Error estimates for two‐level penalty finite volume method for the stationary Navier–Stokes equations

Two‐level penalty finite volume method for the stationary Navier–Stokes equations based on the P₁ ? P₀ element is considered in this paper. The method involves solving one small penalty Navier–Stokes problem on a coarse mesh with mesh size H = ?^{1 / 4}h^{1 / 2}, a large penalty Stokes problem on a fine mesh with mesh size h, where 0 < ? < 1 is a penalty parameter. The method we study provides an approximate solution with the convergence rate of same order as the penalty finite volume solution (u_?h,p_?h), which involves solving one large penalty Navier–Stokes problem on a fine mesh with the same mesh size h. However, our method can save a large amount of computational time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A vortex free boundary problem: Existence and uniqueness results for the physical solution

Summary In this paper it is studied a vortex free boundary problem using some Complex Analysis and/or Harmonic Analysis techniques. It is obtained an existence and uniqueness result for the solution. A numerical method to approximate the problem is described.