Computation of turbulent flows using a finite element formulation

Abstract

We present a formulation for analysis of turbulent incompressible flows using a stabilized finite element method (FEM) based on the finite calculus (FIC) procedure. The stabilization terms introduced by the FIC approach allow to solve a wide range of fluid flow problems at different Reynolds numbers, including turbulent flows, without the need of a turbulence model. Examples of application of the FIC/FEM formulation to the analysis of 2D and 3D incompressible flows at large Reynolds numbers exhibiting turbulence features are presented.