CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2015
Poster Presentation
3-Dimensional Numerical Simulations of a Vortex Embedded within a Background
Vorticity Gradient: Comparison with Theory
Alexander Adams
Faculty Mentor: Marcus Buker
Meteorology
Furthering the progress from previous research (Adams et al, 2012, 2013), a more in-depth study of the
interaction between a perturbation vortex and a background vorticity field was performed. Using an
idealized 3-dimensional non-hydrostatic numerical model, a suite of simulations with varying parameters
was run in which a vortex with a finite thickness was embedded within a background vorticity field and
was observed as it was advected about the center. The observations were then quantified and compared to
behavior outlined by Schecter and Dubin (2001) in a similar study, in which expressions describing the
inward radial velocity of the perturbation vortex were derived. These expressions were then adapted to
our system and tested with a similar set of varying parameters, however, with a more comprehensive set
of parameters than before. Secondarily, Buker et al (2010) derived a set of equations describing the
acceleration of the vortex in a similar situation. These equations were also applied to our model, and a
detailed comparison was made between our results, the equations for velocity derived by Schecter and
Dubin, and the equations for acceleration derived by Buker et al. Our findings outline correlations
between the theoretical work of others and the results produced by the model and implicate a better
representation of the forces governing 3 dimensional multi-vortex systems, as well as show promise for
application outside of idealized simulations.