Ibanez, ClaudiaMigliorini, MatteoGiannouloudis, AlexandrosTejero, FernandoZachos, Pavlos K.2025-04-172025-04-172025-03-26Ibanez C, Migliorini M, Giannouloudis A, et al., (2025) Cluster-based tracking method for the identification and characterisation of vortices. 59th 3AF International Conference on Applied Aerodynamics, 24 - 26 Mar 2025, Strasbourg, Francehttps://www.3af-aerodynamics.com/https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/23797An unsupervised, flow-agnostic and automatic cluster-based tracking algorithm for the segmentation of vortex-dominated flows has been successfully developed. It combines the Rortex method and density-based clustering algorithms. The Rortex method differs shear from rotation and overcomes the sensitivity to user-defined thresholds that characterises current practice of vortex identification methods. The algorithm is demonstrated with experimental Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry data from two cases; a high-Reynolds (≈ 106) vortex generated by a half-delta wing, and distorted flow in a scaled-model of a civil aero-engine intake under cross-wind conditions. The approach is a successful method for the segmentation of complex vortical flows under a wide range of conditions.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Conference paper672837