On coherent vortical structures in wave breaking

The flow generated by the breaking of free-surface waves in a periodic domain is simulated numerically with gas–liquid Navier–Stokes solver. solver relies on volume-of-fluid method to account for different phases, and interface tracking carried out using novel schemes based tailored total-variation-diminishing limiter. numerical proved be characterized low dissipation, thanks use scheme that guarantees energy conservation discrete form. Both two- three-dimensional simulations have been performed, analysis presented terms air entrainment, bubble fragmentation, statistics distribution. Particular attention paid mechanisms viscous dissipation. To this purpose, coherent vortical structures, such as vortex tubes sheets, are identified, behaviours sheets at various Reynolds numbers highlighted. correlation between structures dissipation demonstrates clearly their close link both mixing zone pure water domain, where propagate consequence downward transport. Notably, it found identified primarily whereas govern mainly intermittency.