The horseshoe vortex model is a simplified representation of the vortex system present in the flow of air around a wing. This vortex system is modelled by the bound vortex (bound to the wing) and two trailing vortices, therefore having a shape vaguely reminiscent of a horseshoe.[1][2] A starting vortex is shed as the wing begins to move through the fluid. This vortex dissipates under the action of viscosity,[3] as do the trailing vortices which eventually dissipate far behind the aircraft.
The downwash is associated with induced drag and is a component of the system of trailing vortices.[4]
The horseshoe vortex model is unrealistic in that it implies uniform circulation (and hence, according to the Kutta–Joukowski theorem, uniform lift) at all sections on the wingspan. In a more realistic model, the lifting-line theory, the vortex strength varies along the wingspan, and the loss in vortex strength is shed as a vortex sheet all along the trailing edge, rather than as a single trail at the wing-tips.[5] Nevertheless, the simpler horseshoe vortex model used with a reduced effective wingspan but same mid-plane circulation provides an adequate model for the flows induced far from the aircraft.
The term horseshoe vortex is also used in wind engineering to describe the flow pattern created by strong winds around the base of a tall building. This effect is amplified by the presence of a low-rise building just upwind. This effect was studied at the UK Building Research Establishment between 1963 and 1973[6] and the cause of the effect is described in contemporary wind engineering text books.[7]
In hydrodynamics, a form of horseshoe vortex forms around bluff bodies in the flowing water, for instance around bridge piers.[8] They can cause scouring of bed materials from both upstream and downstream of the pier.[citation needed]
In nature, a horseshoe vortex can cause a horseshoe cloud to form.[9]
^Millikan, Clark B., Aerodynamics of the Airplane, Figure 1.35
^McCormick, Barnes W., Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Flight Mechanics, Chapter 3
^"Shed Vortex". NASA Glenn Research Center. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
^McCormick, Barnes W., Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Flight Mechanics, Chapter 4
^McCormick, Barnes W., Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, and Flight Mechanics, Figure 4.21
^Penwarden, AD. Wise, AFE. Wind environment around buildings, cover illustration
^Cook, NJ. The designer's guide to wind loading of building structures, Part 1, Figure 8.7
^Dargahi, Bijan (1989). "The turbulent flow field around a circular cylinder". Experiments in Fluids. 8: 1–12. doi:10.1007/BF00203058.
^"An incredibly rare 'horseshoe cloud' was spotted in Nevada and it kept the meme-makers busy". Independent.ie. 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
The horseshoevortex model is a simplified representation of the vortex system present in the flow of air around a wing. This vortex system is modelled...
In fluid dynamics, a vortex (pl.: vortices or vortexes) is a region in a fluid in which the flow revolves around an axis line, which may be straight or...
when a horseshoevortex deforms a cumulus cloud. The clouds are relatively short-lived and is the last stage before one dissipates. Horseshoevortex clouds...
vortex sheets and so on. In the Vortex Lattice method, each such elementary flow is the velocity field of a horseshoevortex with some strength Γ {\displaystyle...
with the concept of horseshoevortex and described accurately with the Lanchester–Prandtl theory. In this view, the trailing vortex is a continuation of...
tornadoes. They commonly have anvil clouds. A short-lived horseshoe cloud may occur when a horseshoevortex deforms a cumulus cloud. Some cumuliform and stratocumuliform...
Sotiropoulos, Fotis (1 April 2007). "On the bimodal dynamics of the turbulent horseshoevortex system in a wing-body junction". Physics of Fluids. 19 (4): 045107–045107–20...
three spread footing was exposed to the flow, it generated a large horseshoevortex that accentuated local scour around the pier nose. Secondary flow naturally...
center axis and wind speed by the distance from the center. hook echo horseshoevortex humidity A measure of the amount of water vapor present in a parcel...
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to tornadoes. Funnel clouds are visual phenomena, but these are not the vortex of wind itself. If a funnel cloud touches the surface the feature is considered...
by the Airdevronsix Icefalls, and to their south the Warren Icefalls and Vortex Col descend into the glacier. Mount Baldr, at the eastern end of the Asgard...
counter-clockwise vortex, while one in the southern hemisphere will always see a clockwise vortex. In a properly designed experiment, the vortex is produced...
held at the Horseshoe Tavern, but was moved to Lee's Palace due to technical difficulties. The show on August 5, 2022, was part of the Vortex festival....
found they could induce rotation in Arago's copper disk by spinning a horseshoe magnet under it, with English scientist Michael Faraday later attributing...
fail. Although Goofy manages to temporarily knock out Bradley with a horseshoe in the final section of the race, his final trick results in his second-in-command...