Vortex Formation in Free Space

Aircraft trailing vortices is an inevitable side effect when an aircraft generates lift. The vortices represent a danger for following aircraft and forces large spacing between landing and take off at airports. Detailed knowledge about the dynamics of aircraft trailing vortices is therefore needed to increase airport capacity and aviation safety. In this thesis, an accurate numerical simulation of aircraft trailing vortices is performed. The vortices undergo an expected instability phenomena followed by a reconnection process. The reconnection process is studied in detail. During the reconnection, theoretically described structures can be observed