Vortex Dynamics of Unsteady Plate Motions

Author: Bollt, Scott Alexander

Year: 2026

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Gharib, Morteza

Committee Members: Pullin, Dale Ian; Colonius, Tim; Dabiri, John O.; Gharib, Morteza

Option: Aeronautics

DOI: 10.7907/s04q-7j86

Abstract

The vortex dynamics which result from unsteady motions of perforated and solid plates is studied from complementary experimental and theoretical perspectives. The flow that results from starting a perforated plate from rest is studied, and the effect of changing the plate's open area fraction is investigated. Contributions culminating in successfully holding a vortex above the leading edge of a plate while it is in motion, using real-time PIV to provide controlled feedback of the plate's motion, are also presented. These contributions include RapidPIV, a method and software which enables fluid flows to be visualized in real time at over 1000 frames per second, and a steady thin airfoil theory which makes qualitatively useful predictions about the nature of plates and thin airfoils interacting with leading-edge vortices.