Vortex dynamics of wakes

Abstract

Several problems related to the dynamics of vortex patterns as observed in wake flows are addressed. These include: The universal Strouhal-Reynolds number relation. The Hamiltonian dynamics of point vortices in a periodic strip, both the classical two-vortices-in-a-strip problem, which gives the structure and self-induced velocity of the traditional vortex street, and the three-vortices-in-a-strip problem, which is argued to be relevant to the wake behind an oscillating body. The bifurcation diagram for wake structure found experimentally by Williamson and Roshko is addressed theoretically. © 2008 Springer.