The goal of this thesis is to investigate vortex dynamics of a plunging airfoil by studying the vorticity transport mechanisms of two-dimensional simulations. Direct numerical simulations were implemented in an e↵ort to provide detailed flow fields that are di cult to capture with experimental methods. The simulations were used to study a simplified flat airfoil in a freestream that was subject to pure plunging motion. Due to computational limits, it was not practical to simulate in three-dimensions and the results are limited to two-dimensions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used the validate the two-dimensional simulations and gain insight into the e↵ects of eliminating three-dimensional physics in a nominally two-dimensional flow. Additionally, a parametric study was conducted to analyze the e↵ects of Reynolds and Strouhal numbers on the transport of vorticity. iii

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