Adaptive finite element method for turbulent flow near a propeller

Abstract

We present an adaptive finite element method based on remeshing to solve incompressible turbulent free shear flow near a propeller. Solutions are obtained in primitive variables using a highly accurate finite element approximation on unstructured grids. Turbulence is modeled by a mixing length formulation. Two general purpose error estimators, which take into account swirl and the variation or the eddy viscosity, are presented and applied to the turbulent wake or a propeller. The proposed adaptive scheme is robust, reliable and cost effective