A second‐order ensemble method based on a blended backward differentiation formula timestepping scheme for time‐dependent Navier–Stokes equations

We present a second‐order ensemble method based on a blended three‐step backward differentiation formula (BDF) timestepping scheme to compute an ensemble of Navier–Stokes equations. Compared with the only existing second‐order ensemble method that combines the two‐step BDF timestepping scheme and a special explicit second‐order Adams–Bashforth treatment of the advection term, this method is more accurate with nominal increase in computational cost. We give comprehensive stability and error analysis for the method. Numerical examples are also provided to verify theoretical results and demonstrate the improved accuracy of the method. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 34–61, 2017