Understanding coherent vortices through computational fluid dynamics (Q1310554)

A new definition of coherent vortices in turbulence is proposed, where the vorticity equation reduces to a cyclostrophic balance. Afterward, we describe five fundamental vortex interactions, the sheet, the spiral, the pairing, the even longitudinal, and the odd longitudinal modes. Numerous examples of these interactions are provided from direct numerical or large-eddy simulations. The resulting vortices are responsible for the internal intermittent character of turbulence, with highly nongaussian tails for the probability density functions of vorticity, passive scalar, and low pressure.