A BEM-level set domain-decomposition strategy for non-linear and fragmented interfacial flows

• Published in: International journal for numerical methods in engineering Vol. 67; no. 10; pp. 1385 - 1419
• Main Authors: Colicchio, G., Greco, M., Faltinsen, O. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 03.09.2006; Wiley
• Subjects: Algorithms; BEM; breaking; Computational fluid dynamics; Computational techniques; domain composition; domain decomposition; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fragmentation; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); General theory; level-set; Mathematical methods in physics; Mathematical models; Navier-Stokes equations; non-linearities; Numerical analysis; Physics; Solvers; Strategy; two-phase flows; High strain; Tracking; Computational fluid dynamics; Contour line; BEM; Fragmentation; level-set; Linear flow; domain composition; Two-phase flow; nonlinearities; two-phase flows; Modelling; Non linear effect; Domain decomposition; Smooth surface; Boundary element method; Navier-Stokes equations; breaking
• ISSN: 0029-5981; 1097-0207
• DOI: 10.1002/nme.1680

A domain‐decomposition algorithm has been developed to handle two‐phase flows with large deformation, breaking and fragmentation of the interface. The strategy couples a boundary element method with a Navier–Stokes solver combined with a level‐set technique for the tracking of the interface. The former is used in the fluid region where the interface can be modelled as a smooth surface. In the rest of the domain the field solver is applied. This results in an efficient and accurate method. In this paper, the features of the used strategy are described and the challenges connected with the coupling are deeply discussed. The numerical investigation highlighted the importance of a proper rational study when CFD methods are considered. In the present case, a crucial aspect is represented by the domain‐composition step, that is when the information from one solver to the other have to be properly reconstructed and made consistent with the receiver sub‐domain. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.