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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Stabilized finite elements for compressible turbulent Navier-Stokes

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

In this research a stabilized finite element approach is utilized in the development of a high-order flow solver for compressible turbulent flows. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and modified Spalart-Almaras (SA) turbulence model are discretized using the streamline/upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) scheme. A fully implicit methodology is used to obtain steady state solutions or to drive unsteady problems at each time step. Order of accuracy is assessed for inviscid and viscous flows in two and three dimensions via the method of manufactured solutions. Proper treatment of curved surface geometries is of vital importance in high-order methods, especially when high aspect ratio elements are used in viscous flow regions. In two dimensions, analytic surface representations are used to ensure proper surface point placement, and an algebraic mesh smoothing procedure is applied to prevent invalid elements in high aspect ratio meshes. In dealing with complex three-dimensional geometries, high-order curved surfaces are generated via a Computational Analysis PRogramming Interface (CAPRI), while the interior meshes are deformed through a linear elasticity solver. In addition, the effects of curved elements on solution accuracy are evaluated. Finally, several test cases in two and three dimensions are presented and compared with benchmark results and/or experimental data.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Erwin, Jon Taylor
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Anderson, W. Kyle
  • Kapadia, Sagar; Wang, Li; Sreenivas, Kidambi
  • College of Engineering and Computer Science

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
English, eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/94
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholar.utc.edu:theses-1095

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
Base URL
scholar.utc.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Erwin, Jon Taylor. Stabilized finite elements for compressible turbulent Navier-Stokes. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, https://scholar.utc.edu/theses/94