Steady‐state solution of incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using discrete least‐squares meshless method

A fractional step method for the solution of the steady state incompressible Navier–Stokes equations is proposed in this paper in conjunction with a meshless method, named discrete least‐squares meshless (DLSM). The proposed fractional step method is a first‐order accurate scheme, named semi‐incremental fractional step method, which is a general form of the previous first‐order fractional step methods, i.e. non‐incremental and incremental schemes. One of the most important advantages of the proposed scheme is its capability to use large time step sizes for the solution of incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. DLSM method uses moving least‐squares shape functions for function approximation and discrete least‐squares technique for discretization of the governing differential equations and their boundary conditions. As there is no need for a background mesh, the DLSM method can be called a truly meshless method and enjoys symmetric and positive‐definite properties. Several numerical examples are used to demonstrate the ability and the efficiency of the proposed scheme and the discrete least‐squares meshless method. The results are shown to compare favorably with those of the previously published works. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Collocated discrete least‐squares (CDLS) meshless method: Error estimate and adaptive refinement

Meshless methods are new approaches for solving partial differential equations. The main characteristic of all these methods is that they do not require the traditional mesh to construct a numerical formulation. They require node generation instead of mesh generation. In other words, there is no pre‐specified connectivity or relationships among the nodes. This characteristic make these methods powerful. For example, an adaptive process which requires high computational effort in mesh‐dependent methods can be very economically solved with meshless methods. In this paper, a posteriori error estimate and adaptive refinement strategy is developed in conjunction with the collocated discrete least‐squares (CDLS) meshless method. For this, an error estimate is first developed for a CDLS meshless method. The proposed error estimator is shown to be naturally related to the least‐squares functional, providing a suitable posterior measure of the error in the solution. A mesh moving strategy is then used to displace the nodal points such that the errors are evenly distributed in the solution domain. Efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed error estimator and adaptive refinement process are tested against two hyperbolic benchmark problems, one with shocked and the other with low gradient smooth solutions. These experiments show that the proposed adaptive process is capable of producing stable and accurate results for the difficult problems considered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Chimera method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

The Chimera method was developed three decades ago as a meshing simplification tool. Different components are meshed independently and then glued together using a domain decomposition technique to couple the equations solved on each component. This coupling is achieved via transmission conditions (in the finite element context) or by imposing the continuity of fluxes (in the finite volume context). Historically, the method has then been used extensively to treat moving objects, as the independent meshes are free to move with respect to the others. At each time step, the main task consists in recomputing the interpolation of the transmission conditions or fluxes. This paper presents a Chimera method applied to the Navier–Stokes equations. After an introduction on the Chimera method, we describe in two different sections the two independent steps of the method: the hole cutting to create the interfaces of the subdomains and the coupling of the subdomains. Then, we present the Navier–Stokes solver considered in this work. Implementation aspects are then detailed in order to apply efficiently the method to this specific parallel Navier–Stokes solver. We conclude with some examples to demonstrate the reliability and application of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Least‐squares meshfree method for incompressible Navier–Stokes problems

A least‐squares meshfree method based on the first‐order velocity–pressure–vorticity formulation for two‐dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes problem is presented. The convective term is linearized by successive substitution or Newton's method. The discretization of all governing equations is implemented by the least‐squares method. Equal‐order moving least‐squares approximation is employed with Gauss quadrature in the background cells. The boundary conditions are enforced by the penalty method. The matrix‐free element‐by‐element Jacobi preconditioned conjugate method is applied to solve the discretized linear systems. Cavity flow for steady Navier–Stokes problem and the flow over a square obstacle for time‐dependent Navier–Stokes problem are investigated for the presented least‐squares meshfree method. The effects of inaccurate integration on the accuracy of the solution are investigated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A stress‐based least‐squares finite‐element model for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

In this paper we present a stress‐based least‐squares finite‐element formulation for the solution of the Navier–Stokes equations governing flows of viscous incompressible fluids. Stress components are introduced as independent variables to make the system first order. Continuity equation becomes an algebraic equation and is eliminated from the system with suitable modifications. The h and p convergence are verified using the exact solution of Kovasznay flow. Steady flow past a large circular cylinder in a channel is solved to test mass conservation. Transient flow over a backward‐facing step problem is solved on several meshes. Results are compared with that obtained using vorticity‐based first‐order formulation for both benchmark problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Collocated discrete least squares meshless (CDLSM) method for the solution of transient and steady‐state hyperbolic problems

A collocated discrete least squares meshless method for the solution of the transient and steady‐state hyperbolic problems is presented in this paper. The method is based on minimizing the sum of the squared residuals of the governing differential equation at some points chosen in the problem domain as collocation points. The collocation points are generally different from nodal points, which are used to discretize the problem domain. A moving least squares method is employed to construct the shape functions at nodal points. The coefficient matrix is symmetric and positive definite even for non‐symmetric hyperbolic differential equations and can be solved efficiently with iterative methods. The proposed method is a truly meshless method and does not require numerical integration. Advantages of the collocation points are shown to be threefold: First, the collocation points are shown to be responsible for stabilizing the method in particular when problems with shocked solution are attempted. Second, the collocation points are also shown to improve the accuracy of the solution even for problems with smooth solutions. Third, the collocation points are shown to contribute to the efficiency of the method when solving steady‐state problems via faster convergence of the resulting algorithm. The ability of the method and in particular the effect of collocation points are tested against a series of one‐dimensional transient and steady‐state benchmark examples from the literature and the results are presented. A sensitivity analysis is also carried out to investigate the effect of the base polynomials on the accuracy and convergence characteristics of the method in solving steady‐state problems. The results show the ability of the proposed method to accurately solve difficult hyperbolic problems considered. The method is also shown to be particularly stable for problems with shocked solution due to the inherent stabilizing mechanism of the method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A stabilized finite element method for transient Navier–Stokes equations based on two local Gauss integrations

On the basis of two local Gauss integrations, a stabilized finite element method for transient Navier–Stokes equations is presented, which is defined by the lowest equal‐order conforming finite element subspace such as (or ) elements. The best algorithmic feature of our method is using two local Gauss integrations to replace projection operator. The diffusion term in these equations is discretized by using finite element method, and the temporal differentiation and advection terms are treated by characteristic schemes. Moreover, we present some numerical simulations to demonstrate the effectiveness, good stability, and accuracy properties of our method. Especially, the rate of convergence study tells us that the stability still keeps well when the Reynolds number is increasing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity equation method for the Navier‐Stokes equations applied to uncertainty propagation

This works deals with sensitivity analysis (SA) for the Navier‐Stokes equations. The aim is to provide an estimate of the variance of the velocity field when some of the parameters are uncertain and then to use the variance to compute confidence intervals for the output of the model. First, we introduce the physical model and analyze its stability. The sensitivity equations are derived, and their stability analyzed as well. We propose a finite element‐volume numerical scheme for the state and the sensitivity, which is integrated into the open‐source industrial code TrioCFD. Finally, we present some numerical results: a steady and an unsteady test case for the channel flow problem are investigated. For the steady case, we compare the results to the Monte Carlo method and show how the SA technique succeeds in providing very accurate estimates of the variance. For the unsteady case, a new filtering procedure is proposed to deal with a sensitivity that grows in time. The filtered sensitivity is then used to compute the variance of the output and to provide confidence intervals.     

An implicit edge‐based ALE method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

A new finite volume method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, expressed in arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) form, is presented. The method uses a staggered storage arrangement for the pressure and velocity variables and adopts an edge‐based data structure and assembly procedure which is valid for arbitrary n‐sided polygonal meshes. Edge formulas are presented for assembling the ALE form of the momentum and pressure equations. An implicit multi‐stage time integrator is constructed that is geometrically conservative to the precision of the arithmetic used in the computation. The method is shown to be second‐order‐accurate in time and space for general time‐dependent polygonal meshes. The method is first evaluated using several well‐known unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes problems before being applied to a periodically forced aeroelastic problem and a transient free surface problem. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fourth‐order accurate compact‐difference discretization method for Helmholtz and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

A fourth‐order accurate solution method for the three‐dimensional Helmholtz equations is described that is based on a compact finite‐difference stencil for the Laplace operator. Similar discretization methods for the Poisson equation have been presented by various researchers for Dirichlet boundary conditions. Here, the complicated issue of imposing Neumann boundary conditions is described in detail. The method is then applied to model Helmholtz problems to verify the accuracy of the discretization method. The implementation of the solution method is also described. The Helmholtz solver is used as the basis for a fourth‐order accurate solver for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Numerical results obtained with this Navier–Stokes solver for the temporal evolution of a three‐dimensional instability in a counter‐rotating vortex pair are discussed. The time‐accurate Navier–Stokes simulations show the resolving properties of the developed discretization method and the correct prediction of the initial growth rate of the three‐dimensional instability in the vortex pair. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The fundamental solution method for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

A complete boundary integral formulation for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with time discretization by operator splitting is developed using the fundamental solutions of the Helmholtz operator equation with different order. The numerical results for the lift and the drag hysteresis associated with a NACA0012 aerofoil oscillating in pitch show good agreement with available experimental data. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Galerkin-Petrov least squares mixed element method for stationary incompressible magnetohydrodynamics

The Galerkin-Petrov least squares method is combined with the mixed finite element method to deal with the stationary, incompressible magnetohydrodynamics system of equations with viscosity. A Galerkin-Petrov least squares mixed finite element format for the stationary incompressible magnetohydrodynamics equations is presented. And the existence and error estimates of its solution are derived. Through this method, the combination among the mixed finite element spaces does not demand the discrete Babuska-Brezzi stability conditions so that the mixed finite element spaces could be chosen arbitrartily and the error estimates with optimal order could be obtained.     

Implicit weighted essentially non‐oscillatory schemes for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

A class of lower–upper/approximate factorization (LUAF) implicit weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (ENO; WENO) schemes for solving the two‐dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in a generalized co‐ordinate system is presented. The algorithm is based on the artificial compressibility formulation, and symmetric Gauss–Seidel relaxation is used for computing steady state solutions while symmetric successive overrelaxation is used for treating time‐dependent flows. WENO spatial operators are employed for inviscid fluxes and central differencing for viscous fluxes. Internal and external viscous flow test problems are presented to verify the numerical schemes. The use of a WENO spatial operator not only enhances the accuracy of solutions but also improves the convergence rate for the steady state computation as compared with using the ENO counterpart. It is found that the present solutions compare well with exact solutions, experimental data and other numerical results. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A projection method for the spectral solution of non‐homogeneous and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

This paper is devoted to the development of a parallel, spectral and second‐order time‐accurate method for solving the incompressible and variable density Navier–Stokes equations. The method is well suited for finite thickness density layers and is very efficient, especially for three‐dimensional computations. It is based on an exact projection technique. To enforce incompressibility, for a non‐homogeneous fluid, the pressure is computed using an iterative algorithm. A complete study of the convergence properties of this algorithm is done for different density variations. Numerical simulations showing, qualitatively, the capabilities of the developed Navier–Stokes solver for many realistic problems are presented. The numerical procedure is also validated quantitatively by reproducing growth rates from the linear instability theory in a three‐dimensional direct numerical simulation of an unstable, non‐homogeneous, flow configuration. It is also shown that, even in a turbulent flow, the spectral accuracy is recovered. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An adaptive least‐squares method for the compressible Euler equations

An adaptive least‐squares finite element method is used to solve the compressible Euler equations in two dimensions. Since the method is naturally diffusive, no explicit artificial viscosity is added to the formulation. The inherent artificial viscosity, however, is usually large and hence does not allow sharp resolution of discontinuities unless extremely fine grids are used. To remedy this, while retaining the advantages of the least‐squares method, a moving‐node grid adaptation technique is used. The outstanding feature of the adaptive method is its sensitivity to directional features like shock waves, leading to the automatic construction of adapted grids where the element edge(s) are strongly aligned with such flow phenomena. Using well‐known transonic and supersonic test cases, it has been demonstrated that by coupling the least‐squares method with a robust adaptive method shocks can be captured with high resolution despite using relatively coarse grids. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stretched Cartesian grids for solution of the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

Two Cartesian grid stretching functions are investigated for solving the unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using the pressure–velocity formulation. The first function is developed for the Fourier method and is a generalization of earlier work. This function concentrates more points at the centre of the computational box while allowing the box to remain finite. The second stretching function is for the second‐order central finite difference scheme, which uses a staggered grid in the computational domain. This function is derived to allow a direct discretization of the Laplacian operator in the pressure equation while preserving the consistent behaviour exhibited by the uniform grid scheme. Both functions are analysed for their effects on the matrix of the discretized pressure equation. It is shown that while the second function does not spoil the matrix diagonal dominance, the first one can. Limits to stretching of the first method are derived for the cases of mappings in one and two directions. A limit is also derived for the second function in order to prevent a strong distortion of a sine wave. The performances of the two types of stretching are examined in simulations of periodic co‐flowing jets and a time developing boundary layer. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Third‐order‐accurate semi‐implicit Runge–Kutta scheme for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations

A semi‐implicit three‐step Runge–Kutta scheme for the unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with third‐order accuracy in time is presented. The higher order of accuracy as compared to the existing semi‐implicit Runge–Kutta schemes is achieved due to one additional inversion of the implicit operator I‐τγL, which requires inversion of tridiagonal matrices when using approximate factorization method. No additional solution of the pressure‐Poisson equation or evaluation of Navier–Stokes operator is needed. The scheme is supplied with a local error estimation and time‐step control algorithm. The temporal third‐order accuracy of the scheme is proved analytically and ascertained by analysing both local and global errors in a numerical example. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Schwarz domain decomposition for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in general co‐ordinates

This paper describes a domain decomposition method for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in general co‐ordinates. Domain decomposition techniques are needed for solving flow problems in complicated geometries while retaining structured grids on each of the subdomains. This is the so‐called block‐structured approach. It enables the use of fast vectorized iterative methods on the subdomains. The Navier–Stokes equations are discretized on a staggered grid using finite volumes. The pressure‐correction technique is used to solve the momentum equations together with incompressibility conditions. Schwarz domain decomposition is used to solve the momentum and pressure equations on the composite domain. Convergence of domain decomposition is accelerated by a GMRES Krylov subspace method. Computations are presented for a variety of flows. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient simulation of free surface flows with discrete least-squares meshless method using a priori error estimator

In this article, a priori error estimate is employed to improve the efficiency of simulating free surface flows with discrete least-squares meshless (DLSM) method. DLSM is a fully least-squares approach in which both function approximation and the discretisation of the governing differential equations is carried out using a least-squares concept. The meshless shape functions are derived using the moving least-squares (MLS) method of function approximation. The discretised equations are obtained via a discrete least-squares method in which the sum of the squared residuals are minimised with respect to unknown nodal parameters. The governing equations of mass and momentum conservation are solved in a Lagrangian form using a pressure projection method. The proposed simulation strategy is composed of error estimation and a node moving refinement method. Since in free surface problems, the position of the free surface is of primary interest, a priori error estimate is used which automatically associates higher error to the nodes near the free surface. The node moving refinement method is used to construct a nodal configuration with dense nodal arrangement near the free surface. Four test problems namely dam break, evolution of a water bubble, solitary wave propagation and wave run-up on slope are investigated to test the ability and efficiency of the proposed efficient simulation method.