COMPETENT, COMPACT, COMPARATIVE VISUALIZATION OF A VORTICAL FLOW-FIELD

In computational fluid dynamics, visualization is a frequently used to ol for data evaluation, understanding of flow characteristics, and qua litative comparison to flow visualizations originating from experiment s. Building on an existing visualization software system that allows f or a careful selection of state-of-the-art visualization techniques an d some extensions, it became possible to present various features of t he data in a single image. The visualization shows vortex position and rotation as well as skin-friction lines, experimental oil-flow traces , shock-wave positions, and time surfaces. Animation provides natural perception of flow in combination with abstract representation of phen omena. By adding experimental flow visualization, a comparison between numerical simulation and wind-tunnel flow becomes possible up to a hi gh level of detail. Since some of the underlying algorithms are not ye t described in detail in the visualization literature, some experience s gained from the implementation are illustrated. The dedicated techni ques which are illustrated here address specific properties of vector quantities in the flow field, such as the velocity vector or the frict ion vector. Image complexity is reduced by employing complex visualiza tion methods, Thus, the room is created which is necessary to study th e interaction of various phenomena.