Session EW: Mini-Symposium: Lagrangian Coherent Structures in Fluid Flows

4:10 PM–6:22 PM, Sunday, November 23, 2008
- 004

Chair: John Dabiri, California Institute of Technology

Abstract ID: BAPS.2008.DFD.EW.3

Abstract: EW.00003 : Lagrangian Coherent Structures in Three-Dimensional Fluid Flows

4:54 PM–5:16 PM

Preview Abstract

Author:

  Clarence Rowley
    (Princeton University)

We use Finite-Time Lyapunov Exponents (FTLE) to identify Lagrangian Coherent Structures in several three-dimensional flows, including a single isolated hairpin vortex, and a fully developed turbulent flow. These results are compared with commonly used Eulerian criteria for coherent vortices. Despite additional computational cost, the FTLE method has several advantages over Eulerian methods, including greater detail and the ability to define structure boundaries without relying on a preselected threshold. We also describe an application involving transport of charged particles in a toroidal magnetic field, which illustrates some limitations of the standard FTLE method when applied to a compressible medium. In collaboration with Melissa Green and Peter Norgaard, Princeton University.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2008.DFD.EW.3