Subsonic, Inviscid Flow by the Finite Element Method.

Abstract

Galerkin and least-squares finite element formulations in terms of the primitive variables have been applied to the equations governing compressible, inviscid flow. A novel finite element representation for the groups of variables, rather than the single variables, occurring linearly in the conservation form of the governing equations has led to a relatively sparse stiffness matrix. The Galerkin formulation was used in conjunction with Newton's method but solutions for the flow about circular cylinders could only be obtained with freestream Mach numbers less than 0.32. The least-squares formulation was applied in conjunction with an iterative scheme of the successive over-relaxation type. Solutions have been obtained for the flow about circular and elliptic cylinders, a 6% circular-arc aerofoil and a NACA-0012 aerofoil at zero angle of attack, with the free-stream Mach number sufficiently large that locally sonic conditions have occurred. The solutions are in good agreement with both experimental results and other computational solutions. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA051727

Entities

People

  • C. A. J. Fletcher

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Boundary Layer
  • Complex Variables
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Free Stream
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Inviscid Flow
  • Mach Number
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Viscous Flow

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Finite Element Method (FEM) for solving Partial Differential Equations (PDEs)