Numerical solution of unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using high-order method of lines

Abstract

A high-order method of lines is devised for solving the unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the vorticity-stream function formulation. The vorticity transport equation is solved by the eight- or tenth-order method of lines and the Poisson equation for the stream function is solved by a high-order multigrid method. The numerical results of the two-dimensional (2D) homogeneous isotropic turbulence and the turbulent mixing layer are presented. In the homogeneous isotropic turbulence with tenth order of spatial accuracy, the power law of the inertial energy spectrum at the climax stage coincides with the predictions by Batchelor, Leith and Kraichnan. In the turbulent mixing layer with eight order of spatial accuracy, the vortex pairing are reproduced and the coherent structure of the Reynolds stress at the pairing is noticed.