No abstract

The laminar three-dimensional flow in curved ducts has been analyzed for an incompressible viscous fluid. The mathematical model is formulated using three-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes equations. The equations are generalized using two indices which permit the choice of Cartesian or cylindrical coordinate systems and straight or curved ducts. The solutions are obtained numerically using an ADI method for a number of duct geometries and flow parameters. The study presents detailed results for developing laminar flow in rectangular curved ducts; also, the effect of longitudinal curvature on secondary flow is fully analyzed. An investigation is made of the occurrence of Dean’s instability and, for curved square ducts, it is found to first appear at Dean number ≃ 143.

No abstract

SUMMARYThe unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are formulated in terms of vorticity and streamfunction in generalized curvilinear orthogonal co-ordinates to facilitate analysis of flow configurations with general geometries. The numerical method developed solves the conservative form of the vorticity transport equation using the alternating direction implicit method, whereas the streamfunction equation is solved by direct block Gaussian elimination. The method is applied to a model problem of flow over a backstep in a doubly infinite channel, using clustered conformal co-ordinates. One-dimensional stretching functions, dependent on the Reynolds number and the asymptotic behaviour of the flow, are used to provide suitable grid distribution in the separation and reattachment regions, as well as in the inflow and outflow regions. The optimum grid distribution selected attempts to honour the multiple length scales of the separated flow model problem. The asymptotic behaviour of the finite differenced transport equation near infinity is examined and the numerical method is carefully developed so as to lead to spatially second-order-accurate wiggle-free solutions, i.e. with minimum dispersive error. Results have been obtained in the entire laminar range for the backstep channel and are in good agreement with the available experimental data for this flow problem, prior to the onset of three-dimensionality in the experiment.

No abstract