Graphical representation of three-dimensional vortical flows by means of helicity density and normalized helicity
The helicity density and normalized helicity are introduced as important tools for the graphical representation of three-dimensional flowfields that contain concentrated vortices. The use of these two quantities filters out the graphical representation of the flowfield regions of low vorticity, as well as regions of high vorticity but low speed where the angle between the velocity and vorticity vectors is large (such as in the boundary layer). Their use permits the researcher to identify and accentuate the concentrated vortices, differentiate between primary and secondary vortices and mark their separation and reattachment lines. The method allows locating the singular points in type I primary separations and tracing the vortex-core streamlines that emanate from them. It also allows locating the vortex-core axes in flows of other types.