Dynamics of liquid membranes. I: Non-adaptive finite difference methods

A non-adaptive method and a Lagrangian-Eulerian finite difference technique are used to analyse the dynamic response of liquid membrancs to imposed pressure variations. The non-adaptive method employs a fixed grid and upwind differences for the convection terms, whereas the Lagrangian-Eulerian technique uses operator splitting and decomposes the mixed convection-diffusion system of equations into a sequence of convection and diffusion operators. The convection operator is solved exactly by means of the method of characteristics, and its results are interpolated onto the fixed (Eulerian) grid used to solve the diffusion operator. It is shown that although the method of characteristics eliminates the numerical diffusion associated with upwinding the convection terms in a fixed Eulerian grid, the Lagrangian-Eulerian method may yield overshoots and undershoots near steep flow gradients or when rapid pressure gradients are imposed, owing to the interpolation of the results of the convection operator onto the fixed grid used to solve the diffusion operator. This interpolation should be monotonic and positivity-preserving and should satisfy conservation of mass and linear momentum. It is also shown that both the non-adaptive and Lagrangian-Eulerian finite difference methods produce almost identical (within 1%) results when liquid membranes are subjected to positive and negative step and ramp changes in the pressure coefficient. However, because of their non-adaptive character, these techniques require an estimate of the (unknown) length of the membrane and do not use all the grid points in the calculations. The liquid membrane dynamic response is also analysed as a function of the Froude number, convergence parameter and nozzle exit angle for positive and negative step and ramp changes in the pressure coefficient.     

Generalized Fourier analyses of the advection–diffusion equation—Part I: one‐dimensional domains

This paper presents a detailed multi‐methods comparison of the spatial errors associated with finite difference, finite element and finite volume semi‐discretizations of the scalar advection–diffusion equation. The errors are reported in terms of non‐dimensional phase and group speed, discrete diffusivity, artificial diffusivity, and grid‐induced anisotropy. It is demonstrated that Fourier analysis provides an automatic process for separating the discrete advective operator into its symmetric and skew‐symmetric components and characterizing the spectral behaviour of each operator. For each of the numerical methods considered, asymptotic truncation error and resolution estimates are presented for the limiting cases of pure advection and pure diffusion. It is demonstrated that streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin and its control‐volume finite element analogue, the streamline upwind control‐volume method, produce both an artificial diffusivity and a concomitant phase speed adjustment in addition to the usual semi‐discrete artifacts observed in the phase speed, group speed and diffusivity. The Galerkin finite element method and its streamline upwind derivatives are shown to exhibit super‐convergent behaviour in terms of phase and group speed when a consistent mass matrix is used in the formulation. In contrast, the CVFEM method and its streamline upwind derivatives yield strictly second‐order behaviour. In Part II of this paper, we consider two‐dimensional semi‐discretizations of the advection–diffusion equation and also assess the affects of grid‐induced anisotropy observed in the non‐dimensional phase speed, and the discrete and artificial diffusivities. Although this work can only be considered a first step in a comprehensive multi‐methods analysis and comparison, it serves to identify some of the relative strengths and weaknesses of multiple numerical methods in a common analysis framework. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positivity‐preserving,flux‐limited finite‐difference and finite‐element methods for reactive transport

A new class of positivity‐preserving, flux‐limited finite‐difference and Petrov–Galerkin (PG) finite‐element methods are devised for reactive transport problems.The methods are similar to classical TVD flux‐limited schemes with the main difference being that the flux‐limiter constraint is designed to preserve positivity for problems involving diffusion and reaction. In the finite‐element formulation, we also consider the effect of numerical quadrature in the lumped and consistent mass matrix forms on the positivity‐preserving property. Analysis of the latter scheme shows that positivity‐preserving solutions of the resulting difference equations can only be guaranteed if the flux‐limited scheme is both implicit and satisfies an additional lower‐bound condition on time‐step size. We show that this condition also applies to standard Galerkin linear finite‐element approximations to the linear diffusion equation. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the behavior of the methods and confirm the theoretical conditions on time‐step size, mesh spacing, and flux limiting for transport problems with and without nonlinear reaction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of numerical methods applied to non-linear adsorption columns

Eight numerical schemes (first-order upstream finite difference, MacCormack, explicit Taylor–Galerkin, random choice, flux-corrected transport, ENO, TVD, and Euler–Lagrange methods) are compared on the basis of their computational efficiency for one-dimensional non-linear convection–diffusion problems. For the ideal chromatographic equation for which an exact solution exists, errors plotted against computational times show that the best methods are the random choice, Euler–Lagrange and flux-corrected MacCormack methods. Even when significant diffusion is added to the model, steep gradients are possible because of non-linearities. In such an instance, the random choice and flux-corrected transport methods give the best performance. One can now tackle more complicated problems and refer to this comparative study in order to choose an adequate numerical method which will provide sufficiently accurate results at a reasonable cost.     

Particle transport method for convection problems with reaction and diffusion

The paper is devoted to the further development of the particle transport method for the convection problems with diffusion and reaction. Here, the particle transport method for a convection–reaction problem is combined with an Eulerian finite‐element method for diffusion in the framework of the operator‐splitting approach. The technique possesses a special spatial adaptivity to resolve solution singularities possible due to convection and reaction terms. A monotone projection technique is used to transfer the solution of the convection–reaction subproblem from a moving set of particles onto a fixed grid to initialize the diffusion subproblem. The proposed approach exhibits good mass conservation and works with structured and unstructured meshes. The performance of the presented algorithm is tested on one‐ and two‐dimensional benchmark problems. The numerical results confirm that the method demonstrates good accuracy for the convection‐dominated as well as for convection–diffusion problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A multi‐dimensional monotonic finite element model for solving the convection–diffusion‐reaction equation

In this paper, we develop a finite element model for solving the convection–diffusion‐reaction equation in two dimensions with an aim to enhance the scheme stability without compromising consistency. Reducing errors of false diffusion type is achieved by adding an artificial term to get rid of three leading mixed derivative terms in the Petrov–Galerkin formulation. The finite element model of the Petrov–Galerkin type, while maintaining convective stability, is modified to suppress oscillations about the sharp layer by employing the M‐matrix theory. To validate this monotonic model, we consider test problems which are amenable to analytic solutions. Good agreement is obtained with both one‐ and two‐dimensional problems, thus validating the method. Other problems suitable for benchmarking the proposed model are also investigated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of Galerkin and control volume finite element for advection–diffusion problems

The control volume finite element method (CVFEM) was developed to combine the local numerical conservation property of control volume methods with the unstructured grid and generality of finite element methods (FEMs). Most implementations of CVFEM include mass‐lumping and upwinding techniques typical of control volume schemes. In this work we compare, via numerical error analysis, CVFEM and FEM utilizing consistent and lumped mass implementations, and stabilized Petrov–Galerkin streamline upwind schemes in the context of advection–diffusion processes. For this type of problem, we find no apparent advantage to the local numerical conservation aspect of CVFEM as compared to FEM. The stabilized schemes improve accuracy and degree of positivity on coarse grids, and also reduce iteration counts for advection‐dominated problems. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A finite volume scheme for solving anisotropic diffusion on ALE‐AMR grids

In the context of High Energy Density Physics and more precisely in the field of laser plasma interaction, Lagrangian schemes are commonly used. The lack of robustness due to strong grid deformations requires the regularization of the mesh through the use of Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian methods. Theses methods usually add some diffusion and a loss of precision is observed. We propose to use Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) techniques to reduce this loss of accuracy. This work focuses on the resolution of the anisotropic diffusion operator on Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian‐AMR grids. In this paper, we describe a second‐order accurate cell‐centered finite volume method for solving anisotropic diffusion on AMR type grids. The scheme described here is based on local flux approximation which can be derived through the use of a finite difference approximation, leading to the CCLADNS scheme. We present here the 2D and 3D extension of the CCLADNS scheme to AMR meshes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation of natural and mixed convection flows by Galerkin‐characteristic method

A numerical investigation is performed to study the solution of natural and mixed convection flows by Galerkin‐characteristic method. The method is based on combining the modified method of characteristics with a Galerkin finite element discretization in primitive variables. It can be interpreted as a fractional step technique where convective part and Stokes/Boussinesq part are treated separately. The main feature of the proposed method is that, due to the Lagrangian treatment of convection, the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) restriction is relaxed and the time truncation errors are reduced in the Stokes/Boussinesq part. Numerical simulations are carried out for a natural convection in squared cavity and for a mixed convection flow past a circular cylinder. The computed results are compared with those obtained using other Eulerian‐based Galerkin finite element solvers, which are used for solving many convective flow models. The Galerkin‐characteristic method has been found to be feasible and satisfactory. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilized finite element formulation for incompressible flow on distorted meshes

Flow computations frequently require unfavourably meshes, as for example highly stretched elements in regions of boundary layers or distorted elements in deforming arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian meshes. Thus, the performance of a flow solver on such meshes is of great interest. The behaviour of finite elements with residual‐based stabilization for incompressible Newtonian flow on distorted meshes is considered here. We investigate the influence of the stabilization terms on the results obtained on distorted meshes by a number of numerical studies. The effect of different element length definitions within the elemental stabilization parameter is considered. Further, different variants of residual‐based stabilization are compared indicating that dropping the second derivatives from the stabilization operator, i.e. using a streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin type of formulation yields better results in a variety of cases. A comparison of the performance of linear and quadratic elements reveals further that the inconsistency of linear elements equipped with residual‐based stabilization introduces significant errors on distorted meshes, while quadratic elements are almost unaffected by moderate mesh distortion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 3D finite element ALE method using an approximate Riemann solution

Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite volume methods that solve a multidimensional Riemann‐like problem at the cell center in a staggered grid hydrodynamic (SGH) arrangement have been proposed. This research proposes a new 3D finite element arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian SGH method that incorporates a multidimensional Riemann‐like problem. Two different Riemann jump relations are investigated. A new limiting method that greatly improves the accuracy of the SGH method on isentropic flows is investigated. A remap method that improves upon a well‐known mesh relaxation and remapping technique in order to ensure total energy conservation during the remap is also presented. Numerical details and test problem results are presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stabilized Bubble Function Method for Shallow Water Long Wave Equation

A relationship between the stabilized bubble function method and the stabilized finite element method is shown in this paper. The Petrov–Galerkin formulation with bubble function, i.e. a stabilized bubble function method, is proposed for the shallow water long wave equation. The Petrov–Galerkin formulation with the bubble function formulation possesses better stability than the Bubnov–Galerkin formulation with the bubble function.     

Numerical simulation of solidification processes in enclosures

The present work deals with the development and application of numerical models for the simulation of solidification problems liquid/solid taking diffusion and convection into account. For the calculation of the thermal coupled flow process the finite element method is applied. In order to improve the numerical stability of the free convection problems, the streamline-upwind/Petrov–Galerkin method is used. Solidification processes are moving boundary problems. Three different models are set up which consider latent heat at the solidification front respectively in the mixed zone during the phase transition. Moreover, numerical methods are investigated in order to describe the behaviour of the flow at the boundary of the moving phase. Three examples serve illustrations; the technical example – casting of a transport and storage container – was provided by the company Siempelkamp Gießerei GmbH.     

Upwind basis finite elements for convection-dominated problems

Finite elements using higher-order basis functions in the spirit of the QUICK method for convection-dominated fluid flow and transport problems are introduced and demonstrated. Instead of introducing new internal degrees of freedom, completeness is achieved by including functions based on nodal values exterior and upwind to the element domain. Applied with linear test functions to the weak statements for convection-dominated problems, a family of Petrov–Galerkin finite elements is developed. Quadratic and cubic versions are demonstrated for the one-dimensional convection–diffusion test problem. Elements of up to seventh degree are used for local solution refinement. The behaviour of these elements for one-dimensional linear and non-linear advection is investigated. A two-dimensional quadratic upwind element is demonstrated in a streamfunction–vorticity formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations for a driven cavity flow test problem. With some minor reservations, these elements are recommended for further study and application.     

Time‐accurate stabilized finite‐element model for weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive water waves

Introduction of a time‐accurate stabilized finite‐element approximation for the numerical investigation of weakly nonlinear and weakly dispersive water waves is presented in this paper. To make the time approximation match the order of accuracy of the spatial representation of the linear triangular elements by the Galerkin finite‐element method, the fourth‐order time integration of implicit multistage Padé method is used for the development of the numerical scheme. The streamline‐upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method with crosswind diffusion is employed to stabilize the scheme and suppress the spurious oscillations, usually common in the numerical computation of convection‐dominated flow problems. The performance of numerical stabilization and accuracy is addressed. Treatments of various boundary conditions, including the open boundary conditions, the perfect reflecting boundary conditions along boundaries with irregular geometry, are also described. Numerical results showing the comparisons with analytical solutions, experimental measurements, and other published numerical results are presented and discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-order ALE method for the Navier–Stokes equations on a moving hybrid unstructured mesh using flux reconstruction method

The flux reconstruction (FR) formulation can unify several popular discontinuous basis high-order methods for fluid dynamics, including the discontinuous Galerkin method, in a simple, efficient form. An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) extension to the high-order FR scheme is developed here for moving mesh fluid flow problems. The ALE Navier–Stokes equations are derived by introducing a grid velocity. The conservation law are spatially discretised on hybrid unstructured meshes using Huynh’s scheme (Huynh 2007) on anisotropic elements (quadrilaterals) and using Correction Procedure via Reconstruction scheme on isotropic elements (triangles). The temporal discretisation uses both explicit and implicit treatments. The mesh movement is described by node positions given as a time series, instead of an analytical formula. The geometric conservation law is tested using free stream preservation problem. An isentropic vortex propagation test case is performed to show the high-order accuracy of the developed method on both moving and fixed hybrid meshes. Flow around an oscillating cylinder shows the capability of the method to solve moving boundary viscous flow problems, with the numeric method further verified by comparison of the result on a smoothly deforming mesh and a rigid moving mesh.     

On finite element approximation and stabilization methods for compressible viscous flows

This work is devoted to the numerical solution of the Navier–Stokes equations for compressible viscous fluids. Finite element approximations and stabilization techniques are addressed. We present methods to implement discontinuous approximations for the pressure and the density. An upwinding methodology is being investigated which combines the ideas behind the stream line Petrov–Galerkin method and the flux limiter methods aiming to introduce numerical diffusion only where it is necessary.     

A particle finite element method applied to long wave run‐up

This paper presents a Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element formulation for solving fluid dynamics problems with moving boundaries and employs the method to long wave run‐up. The method is based on a set of Lagrangian particles which serve as moving nodes for the finite element mesh. Nodes at the moving shoreline are identified by the alpha shape concept which utilizes the distance from neighbouring nodes in different directions. An efficient triangulation technique is then used for the mesh generation at each time step. In order to validate the numerical method the code has been compared with analytical solutions and a preexisting finite difference model. The main focus of our investigation is to assess the numerical method through simulations of three‐dimensional dam break and long wave run‐up on curved beaches. Particularly the method is put to test for cases where different shoreline segments connect and produce a computational domain surrounding dry regions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Eulerian approach for simulating frictional heating in disc-pad systems

Thermal stresses as a result from frictional heating must be considered when designing disc brakes, clutches or other rotating machine components with sliding contact conditions. The rotational symmetry of the disc in these kind of applications makes it possible to model these systems using an Eulerian approach instead of a Lagrangian framework. In this paper such an approach is developed and implemented. The disc is formulated in an Eulerian frame where the convective terms are defined by the angular velocity. By utilizing the Eulerian framework, a node-to-node formulation of the contact interface is obtained, producing most accurate frictional heat power solutions. The energy balance of the interface is postulated by introducing an interfacial temperature. Both frictional power and contact conductances are included in this energy balance. The contact problem is solved by a non-smooth Newton method. By adopting the augmented Lagrangian approach, this is done by rewriting Signorini’s contact conditions to an equivalent semi-smooth equation. The heat transfer in the disc is discretized by a Petrov–Galerkin approach, i.e. the numerical difficulties due to the non-symmetric convective matrix appearing in a pure Galerkin discretization is treated by following the streamline-upwind approach. In such manner a stabilization is obtained by adding artificial conduction along the streamlines. For each time step the thermo-elastic contact problem is first solved for the temperature field from the previous time step. Then, the heat transfer problem is solved for the corresponding frictional power. In such manner a temperature history is obtained sequentially via the trapezoidal rule. In particular the parameter is set such that both the Crank–Nicolson and the Galerkin methods are utilized. The method seems very promising. This is demonstrated by solving a two-dimensional benchmark as well as a real disc brake system in three dimensions.     

Spectral element-FCT method for scalar hyperbolic conservation laws

A new algorithm based on spectral element discretizations and flux-corrected transport (FCT) ideas is developed for the solution of discontinuous hyperbolic problems. A conservative formulation is proposed, based on cell averaging and reconstruction procedures, that employs a staggered grid of Gauss–Chebyshev and Gauss–Lobatto–Chebyshev discretizations. In addition, high-order time-differencing schemes, a flux limiter and a general spectral filter are employed to improve the quality of the solution. It is demonstrated through model problems of linear advection and examples of one-dimensional shock formation that the proposed algorithm leads to stable, non-oscillatory solutions of high accuracy away from discontinuities. Typically, spectral or spectral element methods perform very poorly in the presence of even weak discontinuities, although they produce only exponentialy small errors for smooth solutions. Spectral element–FCT methods can provide spectral properties (i.e. minimum dispersion and diffusion errors) as well as great flexibility in the discretization, since a variable number of macroelements or collocation points per element can be employed to accommodate both accuracy and geometric requirements.