Robert Legendre and Henri Werlé: Toward the Elucidation of Three-Dimensional Separation

The description and the physical understanding of three-dimensional separated flows are challenging problems mainly because of the use of inappropriate terms linked to the consideration of two-dimensional flows. This fact was realized in the early 1950s by Robert Legendre, who introduced the basic c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of fluid mechanics 2001-01, Vol.33 (1), p.129-154
Main Author: DELERY, Jean M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerodynamics
Applied fluid mechanics
Exact sciences and technology
flow topology
Fluid dynamics
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Physics
Rotational flow and vorticity
Separated flows
three-dimensional flow
vortex formation
water tunnel visualization
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Summary:The description and the physical understanding of three-dimensional separated flows are challenging problems mainly because of the use of inappropriate terms linked to the consideration of two-dimensional flows. This fact was realized in the early 1950s by Robert Legendre, who introduced the basic concepts of the Critical Point Theory to provide a rational definition of separation in three-dimensional flows. In parallel, demonstrative experiments were executed by Henri Werlé in the Onera water tunnel laboratory. From the close cooperation between these two scientists resulted the construction of a powerful theoretical tool allowing the elucidation of the structure of largely separated three-dimensional fields. The importance of their contribution to fluid mechanics is illustrated here by the consideration of basic configurations: flow past wings or elongated bodies, in front of obstacles, and behind a base. For each case, the flow organization is discussed by considering representative water tunnel visualizations and corresponding topological interpretations.
ISSN:0066-4189
1545-4479
DOI:10.1146/annurev.fluid.33.1.129