3-D Time Dependent Navier-Stokes Solutions with Finite and Boundary Elements

Abstract

Full Navier-Stokes equations are solved to study viscous flow past a 3-D body. In time, fractional steps are performed for obtaining the intermediate velocity values from the momentum conservation using the Galerkin Finite Element discretization in space. The Poisson’s equation is solved for a derived scalar variable to evaluate the pressure field at each time step. For imposing the far field boundary conditions on pressure approximate boundary element concept external to the finite element region is utilized. Presented are the numerical results obtained for viscous flow past a swept bump on a circular cylinder. The technique proves itself to be capable of depicting the flow field with small number of grid points used in discretization in space and with considerably large steps in time.