A coupled element-based finite-volume method for the solution of incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article presents a new element-based finite-volume discretization approach for the solution of incompressible flow problems on co-located grids. The proposed method, called the method of proper closure equations (MPCE), employs a proper set of physically relevant equations to constrain the velocity and pressure at integration points. These equations provide a proper coupling between the nodal values of pressure and velocity. The final algebraic equations are not segregated in this study and are solved in a fully coupled manner. To show the applicability and performance of the method, it is tested on several steady two-dimensional laminar-flow benchmark cases. The results indicate that the method simulates the fluid flow in complex geometries and on nonorthogonal computational grids accurately. Also, it is shown that the method is robust in the sense that it does not require severe underrelaxation even at relatively high Reynolds numbers. In each test case, the required underrelaxation parameter, the number of iterations, and the corresponding CPU time are reported.