Finite element solutions of axisymmetric Euler equations for an incompressible and inviscid fluid

Abstract

In this paper we present a finite element method for the numerical solution of axisymmetric flows. The governing equations of the flow are the axisymmetric Euler equations. We use a streamfunction angular velocity and vorticity formulation of these equations, and we consider the non-stationary and the stationary problems. For industrial applications we have developed a general model which computes the flow past an annular aerofoil and a duct propeller. It is able to take into account jumps of angular velocity and vorticiy in order to model the flow in the presence of a propeller. Moreover, we compute the complete flow around the after-body of a ship and the interaction between a ducted propeller and the stern. In the stationary case we have developed a simple and efficient version of the characteristics/finite element method. Numerical tests have shown that this last method leads to a very fast solver for the Euler equations. The numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data.