Finite Element Analysis of Recirculating Flows

by Bruce A. DeVantier, Southern Illinois Univ-Carbondale, Dep of Civil Engineering &, Mechanics, Carbondale, IL, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulics and Hydrology in the Small Computer Age

Abstract:

The primitive variable and stream-function-vorticity forms of depth averaged viscous fluid flow equations are compared via finite element computations on problems with the same meshes and interpolation order. The stream-function-vorticity solutions are found to be less accurate when used as input to finite element contaminant transport models. One cause of the inaccuracy is interelement discontinuities in velocities. Difficulties associated with interpolation order and application of boundary conditions also make the stream function form less desireable.

Subject Headings: Fluid flow | Finite element method | Water flow | Two-dimensional flow | Rivers and streams | Model accuracy | Mathematical models

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