A MUSCL-like finite volumes approximation of the momentum convection operator for low-order nonconforming face-centred discretizations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a MUSCL-like finite volume discretization of the momentum convection operator for low-order nonconforming face-centered finite element schemes, applicable to both incompressible and compressible fluid flows, with stability and accuracy benefits.

Contribution

It develops a second-order accurate, algebraic, MUSCL-like convection operator for nonconforming finite element discretizations, suitable for various flow regimes including variable density flows.

Findings

Demonstrates stability for semi-implicit schemes in incompressible flows

Achieves accurate discretization for compressible Navier-Stokes equations

Validates performance through numerical tests on multiple flow models

Abstract

We propose in this paper a discretization of the momentum convection operator for fluid flow simulations on quadrangular or hexahedral meshes. The space discretization is performed by the loworder nonconforming Rannacher-Turek finite element: the scalar unknowns are associated to the cells of the mesh, while the velocities unknowns are associated to the edges or faces. The momentum convection operator is of finite volume type, and its almost second order expression is derived by a MUSCL-like technique. The latter is of algebraic type, in the sense that the limitation procedure does not invoke any slope reconstruction, and is independent from the geometry of the cells. The derived discrete convection operator applies both to constant or variable density flows, and may thus be implemented in a scheme for incompressible or compressible flows. To achieve this goal, we derive a discrete analogue of the computation ui ($\partial$t($\rho$ui)+div($\rho$uiu) = 1 2 $\partial$t($\rho$u 2 i)+ 1 2 div($\rho$u 2 i u) (with u the velocity, ui one of its component, $\rho$ the density, and assuming that the mass balance holds) and discuss two applications of this result: firstly, we obtain stability results for a semi-implicit in time scheme for incompressible and barotropic compressible flows; secondly, we build a consistent, semi-implicit in time scheme that is based on the discretization of the internal energy balance rather than the total energy. The performance of the proposed discrete convection operator is assessed by numerical tests on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the barotropic and the full compressible Navier-Stokes and the compressible Euler equations.