A hybrid level-set/moving-mesh interface tracking method

An approach for combining Arbitrary–Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) moving-mesh and level-set interface tracking methods is presented that allows the two methods to be used in different spatial regions and coupled across the region boundaries. The coupling allows interface shapes to be convected from the ALE method to the level-set method and vice-versa across the ALE/level-set boundary. The motivation for this is to allow high-order ALE methods to represent interface motion in regions where there is no topology change, and the level-set function to be used in regions where topology change occurs. The coupling method is based on the characteristic directions of information propagation and can be implemented in any geometrical configuration. In addition, an iterative method for the hybrid formulation has been developed that can be combined with pre-existing solution methods. Tests of a propagating interface in a uniform flow show that the hybrid approach provides accuracy equivalent to what one is able to obtain with either of the methods individually.