Vortical wakes over a prolate spheroid

Abstract

The vortex-lattice method is employed to calculate the inviscid flow and the development of separated vortex sheets over a prolate spheroid. An approximate boundary-layer method based on the assumption of local similarity is used to calculate the line of open separation. A condition of vortex shedding along the separation line is proposed. The two methods of calculation, viscous and inviscid, interact through the line of separation that is allowed to displace as the wake grows. Results are compared with flow visualization data for laminar separation and pressure data for turbulent separation.