Numerical Simulation of Temperature-Driven Free Surface Flows, with Application to Laser Surface Melting

Abstract

A mathematical model coupling the heat and fluid flow with solidification and free surfaces is presented. The numerical method relies on an operator splitting strategy, and a two-grid method. The free surfaces are tracked with a volume-of-fluid approach. A special emphasis is laid on the modeling of surface tension forces on the free surface. A comparison between approaches is highlighted, and a mesh convergence analysis is presented. Finally, the model is validated with the simulation of a static laser melting process.

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