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Model ID: 2141

Stationary Incompressible Flow over a Backstep using Argyris Elements

This model examines the physics of plane, incompressible and steady flow over a backward step in the absence of external forces. It addresses a common benchmark problem in the field of computational fluid dynamics. There is no known exact solution, but experimental data have been published, making it possible to check the accuracy of the FEM solution.

The model exemplifies a divergence-free approach to solving incompressible fluid flow problems. Instead of conventional p2-p1 Lagrange elements, C1-continuous Argyris elements are used to discretize the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. When formulating the equations in terms of a stream function, this will eliminate the continuity equation altogether.

Surface plot of the velocity in the x direction and contour plot of the stream function.

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