PREDICTION OF 3-DIMENSIONAL STEADY INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOWS USING BODY-FITTED COORDINATES

A finite-volume method for three-dimensional, steady, incompressible flows in complex geometries is presented. The method uses generalized Body-Fitted Coordinates to accurately take into account the shape of the boundary. A collocated scheme is employed, which uses the three covariant velocities and the pressure as main variables. Continuity is coupled with the momentum equations using the SIMPLEC algorithm. It is found that the SIMPLEC algorithm can provide savings in computational time of up to 40 percent compared to calculations with SIMPLE. Sensitivity studies are also performed to find optimum values of the underrelaxation parameters. The method is validated against experimental results for the case of the flow in a 90 deg curved duct of square cross-section and comparatively strong curvature. The application of the method to the prediction of flows in complex geometries is then illustrated.