Computer-aided analysis of flow past a surface-mounted obstacle

Abstract

The incompressible, laminar, isothermal flow of a Newtonian fluid at steady state past a surface-mounted obstacle (flow over a step) is studied in a two-dimensional numerical experiment using the Galerkin finite element method. The dimensionless Navier–Stokes equations are solved in the whole range of the laminar flow regime. The numerical predictions are compared with available experimental data. The emphasis in the discussion of the results is on the presentation of the streamlines for various Reynolds numbers, the pressure distribution over and downstream of the step, the shear stress distribution along the surface of the step and the length of the recirculation region as a function of the Reynolds number. This analysis may be used in numerous applications from agricultural to civil, mechanical and chemical engineering. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.