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Vortex Flow Analysis and Simulation

The document describes a tutorial for modeling vortex flow using FEATool Multiphysics. It presents the analytical solution to the Navier-Stokes equations for the 2D problem of decaying vortices in a unit square domain. It then provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the model in FEATool to match the analytical solution, including prescribing the geometry, grid, equations, boundary conditions, solver settings and postprocessing of results.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
23 views4 pages

Vortex Flow Analysis and Simulation

The document describes a tutorial for modeling vortex flow using FEATool Multiphysics. It presents the analytical solution to the Navier-Stokes equations for the 2D problem of decaying vortices in a unit square domain. It then provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the model in FEATool to match the analytical solution, including prescribing the geometry, grid, equations, boundary conditions, solver settings and postprocessing of results.

Uploaded by

ese owe
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FEATool Multiphysics Documentation: Vortex Flow [Link]

com/doc/Fluid_Dynamics_06_vortex_flow1

Vortex Flow

Time dependent decaying flow for standing vortices with the following analytical solution to the Navier-Stokes
equations

The two-dimensional flow problem is solved for a unit square with k = 2π and the exact solution as boundary and
initial conditions.

Tutorial
This model is available as an automated tutorial by selecting Model Examples and Tutorials... > Fluid
Dynamics > Vortex Flow from the File menu. Or alternatively, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

1. To start a new model click the New Model toolbar button, or select New Model... from the File menu.

2. Select the 2D radio button.

3. Select the Navier-Stokes Equations physics mode from the Select Physics drop-down menu.

4. Press OK to finish the physics mode selection.

5. To create a rectangle, first click on the Create square/rectangle Toolbar button. Then left click in the main
plot axes window, and hold down the mouse button. Move the mouse pointer to draw the shape outline,
and release the button to finalize the shape.

6. Select R1 in the geometry object Selection list box.

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FEATool Multiphysics Documentation: Vortex Flow [Link]

7. To modify and edit the selected rectangle, click on the Inspect/edit selected geometry object Toolbar
button to open the Edit Geometry Object dialog box.

8. Enter into the xmin edit field.

9. Enter into the xmax edit field.

10. Enter into the ymin edit field.

11. Enter into the ymax edit field.

12. Press OK to finish and close the dialog box.

13. Switch to Grid mode by clicking on the corresponding Mode Toolbar button.

14. Enter into the Grid Size edit field.

15. Press the Generate button to call the grid generation algorithm.

16. Switch to Equation mode by clicking on the corresponding Mode Toolbar button.

17. Press the Constants Toolbar button, or select the corresponding entry from the Equation menu, to open
the Model Constants and Expressions dialog box. Enter the following expressions for the viscosity, vortex
period, and reference solutions.

Name Expression
nu 0.0.1
k 2*pi
u_ref -cos(k*x)*sin(k*y)*exp(-2*nu*k^2*t)
v_ref sin(k*x)*cos(k*y)*exp(-2*nu*k^2*t)
p_ref -1/4*(cos(2*k*x)+cos(2*k*y))*exp(-4*nu*k^2*t)

Open the Equation Settings dialog box and enter for the viscosity and the reference expressions as initial
conditions

18. Select Equation Settings... from the Equation menu.

19. Enter into the Viscosity edit field.

20. Enter into the Initial condition for u edit field.

21. Enter into the Initial condition for v edit field.

22. Enter into the Initial condition for p edit field.

23. Press OK to finish the equation and subdomain settings specification.

24. Switch to Boundary mode by clicking on the corresponding Mode Toolbar button.

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FEATool Multiphysics Documentation: Vortex Flow [Link]

Prescribe the reference velocities on all boundaries using the Inlet/velocity boundary condition.

25. Select 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Boundaries list box.

26. Select Inlet/velocity from the Navier-Stokes Equations drop-down menu.

27. Enter into the Velocity in x-direction edit field.

28. Enter into the Velocity in y-direction edit field.

29. Press OK to finish the boundary condition specification.

Also prescribe the reference pressure on all four points. Note that since no outflow is present in this model, a
reference point with pressure p = 0 has already been prescribed. This is necessary to ensure convergence and a
unique pressure for stationary problems without any outflow boundary conditions.

30. Select Add Point Constraints... from the Boundary menu.

31. Enter into the four edit fields for the corners corresponding to the pressure.

32. Press OK to finish and close the dialog box.

33. Switch to Solve mode by clicking on the corresponding Mode Toolbar button.

34. Press the Settings Toolbar button.

35. Select Time-Dependent from the Solution and solver type drop-down menu.

36. Enter into the Time step size edit field.

37. Enter into the Duration of time-dependent simulation (maximum time) edit field.

38. Press the Solve button.

Plot the velocity field as arrows and pressure as contour plot to see the vortices of the flow field.

39. Press the Plot Options Toolbar button.

40. Select the Contour Plot check box.

41. Select Pressure from the Predefined contour plot expressions drop-down menu.

42. Select the Arrow Plot check box.

43. Press Apply to plot and visualize the selected postprocessing options.

By plotting and visualizing the difference between the computed and reference variables, the overall accuracy of
the simulation can be estimated.

44. Enter into the User defined surface plot expression edit field.

45. Press OK to plot and visualize the selected postprocessing options.

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FEATool Multiphysics Documentation: Vortex Flow [Link]

The vortex flow fluid dynamics model has now been completed and can be saved as a binary (.fea) model file, or
exported as a programmable MATLAB m-script text file (available as the example ex_navierstokes5 script file),
or GUI script (.fes) file.

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Common questions

Powered by AI

In the FEATool Multiphysics environment, a time-dependent simulation for vortex flow analysis is configured by selecting the Time-Dependent option from the Solution and solver type drop-down menu. The parameters that must be specified include the time step size, which controls the discretization of time, and the duration of the simulation, which sets the maximum time for simulation progression. These parameters are crucial as they influence the stability and accuracy of the time-dependent solution .

Using expressions for viscosity and reference solutions as initial conditions in the vortex flow model allows for precise control over the initial state of the simulation, ensuring it starts under known conditions. This setup provides consistency with the analytical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations, enabling the simulation to accurately mimic theoretically expected results, thereby allowing a more effective comparison and verification of the computational model against expected behaviors .

The grid size plays a critical role in the accuracy of vortex flow simulations by determining the resolution of the computational mesh. A finer grid size allows for more detailed resolution of flow features like vortices, leading to more accurate simulations, although it requires more computational resources. In the FEATool Multiphysics interface, grid size is adjusted by entering the desired dimensions into the Grid Size edit field, followed by pressing the Generate button to create the computational mesh .

Saving the vortex flow model as a binary file or exporting it as a MATLAB m-script is significant for data management and further analysis in FEATool Multiphysics. A binary file serves as a compact, efficient storage format for preserving the model state and configuration, ensuring reproducibility and ease of access for future modifications. Exporting as a MATLAB m-script allows integration with MATLAB for extended analysis, enabling advanced processing, customization, and automation of simulations, as well as leveraging the full computational capabilities and toolsets of MATLAB .

Plotting the velocity field as arrows and pressure as a contour plot is necessary in the vortex flow simulation to visually analyze and interpret the behavior of the flow field. Arrow plots provide a clear depiction of the direction and relative magnitude of the flow across the domain, while contour plots effectively illustrate the pressure distribution. Together, these visualizations help in validating simulation results against expected physical behavior by showing the formation of vortices and pressure patterns, aiding in assessing the model’s accuracy .

Modifying the geometry object selection in FEATool Multiphysics can significantly impact the simulation of vortex flow by altering the physical domain in which the flow is modeled. Changes to the geometry can affect the boundary conditions applied, the initial conditions, and the resolution of the computational grid, all of which play crucial roles in the resulting flow patterns. For example, adjusting the shape or size of the domain can influence how vortices form and evolve, possibly leading to different flow dynamics and pressure distributions, thus requiring re-evaluation and calibration of other model parameters to maintain simulation accuracy .

Prescribing inlet/velocity boundary conditions on all boundaries of the vortex flow model is important to ensure the correct simulation of flow characteristics and dynamics. These conditions define the velocity profile and constrain the fluid entering or moving within the domain, controlling how the fluid interacts with the boundaries. Without proper boundary conditions, the simulation may not accurately represent the physical system or could lead to unstable or unrealistic results. Additionally, these conditions facilitate comparison against analytical solutions by replicating the enforced conditions at the boundaries .

Specifying a reference point with zero pressure helps achieve convergence in a stationary vortex flow model without outflow by providing a unique reference point for pressure calculations. This is essential because, without outflow boundary conditions, there is no natural pressure release, potentially leading to multiple solutions. By prescribing a zero-pressure point, it limits the pressure solution to a unique one, ensuring accuracy and stability in simulations .

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