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Insights into secondary flow structure from clusters of instantaneous vortices

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Abstract

A method is introduced to cluster instantaneous vortices using a density-based spatial clustering technique to better distinguish overlapping secondary circulation from different mechanisms. Applying the method to large eddy simulation results of a tight open channel bend, two secondary circulation sub-cells are distinguished: the inner bank cell and the center cell. The identification of these structures using instantaneous vortices shows a connection between channel bend mean secondary flow and instantaneous coherent structures, which is further solidified by the agreement of mean bend circulation and circulation calculated using instantaneous vortices. The inner bank sub-cell exhibits high maximum circulation early in the bend followed by a rapid decline, a pattern which is characteristic of tight bends. The center sub-cell exhibits slower development and retains its circulation longer, which is characteristic of milder bends. The locations of the sub-cells within the channel cross section lead to different opportunities for vorticity generation in each sub-cell, which explains their different development patterns.

Article Highlights

  • A method is introduced to identify secondary circulation structures using clusters of instantaneous vortices.

  • Distinct sub-cells are identified in the secondary circulation of a tight open channel bend: one at the inner bank and one in the center.

  • The inner bank sub-cell’s development behavior resembles that of tight bends, while the center sub-cell’s resembles mild bends.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery grants (C. D. R. and A. M.) and Vanier Scholarship (H. K. S.), and by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (Grant Number CFI 31109)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

    H. K. Schreiner, C. D. Rennie & A. Mohammadian

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  1. H. K. Schreiner
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  2. C. D. Rennie
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  3. A. Mohammadian
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HKS carried out the study and wrote the manuscript under the supervision of CDR and AM

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Correspondence to H. K. Schreiner.

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Schreiner, H.K., Rennie, C.D. & Mohammadian, A. Insights into secondary flow structure from clusters of instantaneous vortices. Environ Fluid Mech 23, 89–101 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10652-022-09907-9

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