Finite element simulation of viscous incompressible flows

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5388169

Becker, B R; Drake, J B; Bass, B R

The Galerkin-finite element approximation to the Navier-Stokes equations is developed from the continuous conservation laws governing the time-dependent flow of a viscous incompressible fluid. A computer code implementing the approach is described and results from several example problems are discussed. Biquadratic Lagrangian isoparametric elements are used to discretize the velocities. Bilinear elements discretize the pressure unknown. The nonlinear problem that results from the convection term in the Navier-Stokes equations is solved using a Picard iteration for the correct velocity and pressure fields. The stiffness matrix is factored at each step of the iteration using a frontal solution technique. Results from both steady-state and time-dependent convection dominated flows are given. Extensive appendixes accompany the report including all the details necessary to develop a finite element code.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5388169
• Report Number(s): K/CSD-18; ON: DE84004355
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640410* -- Fluid Physics-- General Fluid Dynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONVECTION
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FLUID FLOW
FUNCTIONS
GALERKIN-PETROV METHOD
INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW
ITERATIVE METHODS
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
SIMULATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VISCOUS FLOW