Research on Bluff Body Vortex Wakes

The basic approach is to obtain measurements in correlated laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of flows past bluff bodies, especially circular cylinders. Laboratory measurements include flow visualization and digital particle image velocimetry DPIV. Numerical simulations are based on vortex methods. Interpretation of relations between velocityvorticity fields and body forces is sought through the generalized Biot-Savart law. The role of Reynolds number, effects of three dimensionality, and effects of body motion are investigated. Relations to the mean near-wake flow and mean force drag are also studied, for their basic technological importance and also for insights into the unsteady motion.