From the astrophysical scale of a swirling spiral galaxy, through the geophysical scale of a hurricane, down to the subatomic scale of elementary particles, vortical motion and vortex dynamics have played a profound role in our understanding of the physical world. Kuchemann referred to vortex dynamics as "the sinews and muscles of fluid motion. " In order to update our understanding of vortex dominated flows, NASA Langley Research Center and the Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering (ICASE) conducted a workshop during July 9-11, 1985. The subject was broadly divided into five overlapping topics vortex dynamics, vortex breakdown, massive separation, vortex shedding from sharp leading edges and conically separated flows. Some of the experts in each of these areas were invited to provide an overview of the subject. This volume is the proceedings of the workshop and contains the latest, theoretical, numerical, and experimental work in the above-mentioned areas. Leibovich, Widnall, Moore and Sirovich discussed topics on the fundamentals of vortex dynamics, while Keller and Hafez treated the problem of vortex break down phenomena; the contributions of Smith, Davis and LeBalleur were in the area of massive separation and inviscid-viscous interactions, while those of Cheng, Hoeijmakers and Munnan dealt with sharp-leading-edge vortex flows; and Fiddes and Marconi represented the category of conical separated flows.

Wind-tunnel studies have been conducted to determine the effects of leading-edge camber on the low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a thin, sharp-edge 74 deg delta wing. The results include force and moment measurements, pressure distributions, and flow visualization patterns determined from oil flow, tuft and water vapor observations. The study indicated that leading-edge camber near the apex is effective in controlling the pitch-up tendency of slender delta wings.