Qualitative flow descriptors for unstructed triangular grids

Flow visualization techniques are rapidly evolving to keep pace with improved flow solution methods. Critical point flow analysis has emerged as an important visualization and data compression method. In addition, flow topology can be described qualitatively using such methods. We propose a merger of this type of analysis with unstructured triangular-grid solution techniques. A software tool is developed to implement these methods and results are presented using a time-dependent wake flow problem. The role of symbolic computation in developing and extending such a system is discussed.