| Abstract: | A finite volume–element formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations for compressible flows is applied to the transient shock tube problem. A second-order spatial quadrature for volumetric integration is studied because of its effects on the shock wave resolution and positioning. Low quadrature order is shown to produce solution anomalies in regions with a transonic character as well as poor predictions of shock wave propagation. The second-order volumetric quadrature includes the proper upstream and downstream solution behaviour and eliminates both the transonic and shock speed errors in the transient shock tube problem. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
