Vortex force decomposition—forces associated with individual elements of a vorticity field

Abstract The impulse theory used to calculate the force from a vorticity distribution in two-dimensional, incompressible flow, is re-cast with aim of approximating, first order, forces generated by specific flow feature, such as free vortex passing an object. To achieve this, acting on body split up into several core contributions. component arises time variation body’s boundary layer. second advection any located flowfield object’s layer vorticity. final contribution due new being shed. test theory, it applied two multi-body flowfields consisting circular cylinder and flat plate wing at incidence close proximity. Force balance measurements planar particle image velocimetry data are simultaneously obtained Reynolds numbers $$10\,000$$ 10 000 $$20\,000$$ 20 . successfully recovered using derived formulation, verifying its accuracy. Subsequently, proposed formulation create heat maps that demonstrate how location leading edge affects around pitching NACA-0021 translating number $$10\, 000$$