Comparison between the traction and pressure-imposed boundary conditions in finite element flow analysis

A formulation is developed to impose pressure-prescribed boundary conditions in the penalty finite element method. Some numerical experiments for the Poiseuille flow problem are performed to compare it with the conventional traction-prescribed boundary condition. Also the incorrectness of the traction-free outlet boundary condition for contained-flows is studied with explanatory numerical examples. Discussion is focused on the inlet and outlet boundary conditions to simulate fully developed flows. Finally, the three-dimensional flow in a bifurcated pipe is analysed with the proposed formulation.