A novel interpolation-free sharp-interface immersed boundary method

Abstract

This paper describes a novel 2nd order direct forcing immersed boundary method designed for simulation of 2D and 3D incompressible flow problems with complex immersed boundaries. In this formulation, each cell cut by the immersed boundary (IB) is reshaped to conform to the shape of the IB. IBs are modeled as a series of 2D planes in 3D space that connect seamlessly at the edges of the cut cells, in a way that mimics conformal grid. IBs are represented in a continuous and consistent fashion from one cell to another, thus eliminating spatial pressure oscillations originating from inconsistent description of the IB as well as the traditional stair-step problem, leading to a more accurate resolution of the boundary layer. Boundary conditions are enforced at the exact location of the IB devoid of interpolation, which guarantees sound simulations even on grids with high aspect ratio, and enables simulations of flow packed with multiple IBs in close proximity. Boundary conditions for each phase across the IB are enforced independently, yielding a unique capability to solve flows with zero-thickness IBs. Simulations of a large number of 2D and 3D test cases confirm the prowess of the devised immersed boundary method in solving flows over multiple loosely/closely-packed IBs; stationary, moving and highly morphing IBs; as well as IBs with zero-thickness. Results show that predictions from the proposed scheme agree remarkably well with theoretical models and experimental data for both integral variables and local flow fields and they are often with less than 1% deviation from solutions obtained by conformal grid of similar resolution.