Locally chosen grad-div stabilization parameters for finite element discretizations of incompressible flow problems

Abstract

Grad-div stabilization has recently been found to be an important tool for finite element method simulations of incompressible flow problems, acting to improve mass conservation in solutions and reducing the effect of the pressure error on the velocity error. Typically, the associated stabilization parameter is chosen globally, but herein we consider local choices. We show that, both for an analytic test problem and for lift and drag calculations of flow around a cylinder, local choices of the grad-div stabilization parameter can provide more accurate solutions.