Optimal convergence of the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian interface tracking method for two-phase Navier--Stokes flow without surface tension

TL;DR

This paper proves optimal-order convergence for an ALE finite element method tracking interfaces in two-phase Navier-Stokes flow without surface tension, using high-order curved meshes and harmonic extension for mesh movement.

Contribution

It establishes the first optimal convergence proof for an ALE interface tracking method with high-order accuracy in two-phase Navier-Stokes flow without surface tension.

Findings

Achieves $O(h^k)$ convergence in $H^1$ norm for degree $k \\ge 2$ finite elements.

Demonstrates high-order convergence despite low global regularity of the moving domain.

Numerical experiments confirm the theoretical convergence rates.

Abstract

Optimal-order convergence in the $H^1$ norm is proved for an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian interface tracking finite element method for the sharp interface model of two-phase Navier-Stokes flow without surface tension, using high-order curved evolving mesh. In this method, the interfacial mesh points move with the fluid's velocity to track the sharp interface between two phases of the fluid, and the interior mesh points move according to a harmonic extension of the interface velocity. The error of the semidiscrete arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian interface tracking finite element method is shown to be $O(h^k)$ in the $L^\infty(0, T; H^1(\Omega))$ norm for the Taylor-Hood finite elements of degree $k \ge 2$. This high-order convergence is achieved by utilizing the piecewise smoothness of the solution on each subdomain occupied by one phase of the fluid, relying on a low global regularity on the entire moving domain. Numerical experiments illustrate and complement the theoretical results.