Vortex methods have emerged as a new class of powerful numerical techniques to analyze and compute vortex motion. This book addresses the theoretical, numerical, computational, and physical aspects of vortex methods and vortex motion.

Vortex methods have matured in recent years, offering an interesting alternative to finite difference and spectral methods for high resolution numerical solutions of the Navier Stokes equations. In the past three decades, research into the numerical analysis aspects of vortex methods has provided a solid mathematical background for understanding the accuracy and stability of the method. At the same time vortex methods retain their appealing physical character, which was the motivation for their introduction. This book presents and analyzes vortex methods as a tool for the direct numerical simulation of impressible viscous flows. It will interest graduate students and researchers in numerical analysis and fluid mechanics and also serve as an ideal textbook for courses in fluid dynamics.

Many important phenomena in fluid motion are evident in vortex flow, i.e., flows in which vortical structures are significant in determining the whole flow. This book, which consists of lectures given at a NATO ARW held in Grenoble (France) in June 1992, provides an up-to-date account of current research in the study of these phenomena by means of numerical methods and mathematical modelling. Such methods include Eulerian methods (finite difference, spectral and wavelet methods) as well as Lagrangian methods (contour dynamics, vortex methods) and are used to study such topics as 2- or 3-dimensional turbulence, vorticity generation by solid bodies, shear layers and vortex sheets, and vortex reconnection. For researchers and graduate students in computational fluid dynamics, numerical analysis, and applied mathematics.

Vortex dynamics is a natural paradigm for the field of chaotic motion and modern dynamical system theory. However, this volume focuses on those aspects of fluid motion that are primarily controlled by the vorticity and are such that the effects of the other fluid properties are secondary.

This book is a comprehensive and intensive monograph for scientists, engineers and applied mathematicians, as well as graduate students in fluid dynamics. It starts with a brief review of fundamentals of fluid dynamics, with an innovative emphasis on the intrinsic orthogonal decomposition of fluid dynamic process, by which one naturally identifies the content and scope of vorticity and vortex dynamics. This is followed by a detailed presentation of vorticity dynamics as the basis of later development. In vortex dynamics part the book deals with the formation, motion, interaction, stability, and breakdown of various vortices. Typical vortex structures are analyzed in laminar, transitional, and turbulent flows, including stratified and rotational fluids. Physical understanding of vertical flow phenomena and mechanisms is the first priority throughout the book. To make the book self-contained, some mathematical background is briefly presented in the main text, but major prerequisites are systematically given in appendices. Material usually not seen in books on vortex dynamics is included, such as geophysical vortex dynamics, aerodynamic vortical flow diagnostics and management.

Incompressible computational fluid dynamics is an emerging and important discipline, with numerous applications in industry and science. Its methods employ rigourous mathematical analysis far beyond what is presently possible for compressible flows. Vortex methods, finite elements, and spectral methods are emphasised. Contributions from leading experts in the various sub-fields portray the wide-ranging nature of the subject. The book provides an entrée into the current research in the field. It can also serve as a source book for researchers and others who require information on methods and techniques.

This book presents comprehensive and authoritative coverage of the wide field of concentrated vortices observed in nature and technique. The methods for research of their kinematics and dynamics are considered. Special attention is paid to the flows with helical symmetry. The authors have described models of vortex structures used for interpretation of experimental data which serve as a ground for development of theoretical and numerical approaches to vortex investigation.