Fluid dynamics of a tornado-like vortex flow

Details

• Personal Author:
  Jischke, M. C. (Martin C.) ; Parang, M.
• Corporate Authors:
  University of Oklahoma. School of Aerospace, Mechanical, and Nuclear Engineering.
• NOAA Program & Office:
  OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research) ; NSSL (National Severe Storms Laboratory)
• Description:
  A swirling, converging vortex flow is studied both experimentally and theoretically as a model of tornado flowfields. Laboratory measurements of this vortex flowfield are obtained using Ward's apparatus and such unique features as the multiple-vortex phenomenon are studied. The turbulent boundary-layer due to this swirling converging vortex flowfield is investigated theoretically by means of Von Karman's integral momentum method. In addition, a recirculating vortex core model is studied. Using a nonequilibrium condensation process as a basis, distinctions between the observed tornado funnel and other aspects of the core flow are discussed. It is found that the swirling, converging vortex flow is a more realistic model of tornadoes.
• Keywords:
  Boundary Layer (Meteorology) Fluid Dynamics Simulated Methods Tornadoes Vortex-motion Boundary Layer (Meteorology) Fluid Dynamics Simulated Methods
• Format:
  PDF
• Document Type:
  Non-series Report
• Funding:
  Grant no. N22-200-72(G) ; Grant no. 04-4-022-13
• License:
  https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
• Rights Information:
  CC0 Public Domain
• Compliance:
  Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:464e33d9cf58bd5a36ef400374f364ac88ee0fc540648d5524aacd9d0c677b21
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/48797/noaa_48797_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 17.73 MB ]