Modelling error and constitutive relations in simulation of flow and transport

Abstract

Abstract The main theme of this paper is the modelling error associated with the choice of constitutive equations and associated parameter sensitivity. These key concepts are first discussed in a general way and explored in detail subsequently for three flow application problems which share certain similarities not only in the finite element formulation but also in the nature of the non‐linear constitutive laws that are investigated. The specific flow problems involve: density driven flow in porous media, the Powell–Eyring model for generalized Newtonian flows, and the related Glen's flow type of constitutive relations for glacier modelling. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.