Correlation of turbulent trailing vortex decay data

Abstract

A correlation function, derived on the basis of self similar variable eddy viscosity decay, is introduced and utilized to correlate aircraft trailing vortex velocity data from ground and flight experiments. The correlation function collapses maximum tangential velocity data from scale model and flight tests to a single curve. The resulting curve clearly shows both the inviscid plateau and the downstream decay regions. A comparison between experimental data and numerical solution shows closer agreement with the variable eddy viscosity solution than the constant viscosity analytical solution.