Study of Incompressible Flow Over a Backward Facing Step Using a Triangular Penalty Element

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the numerical efficiency of the penalty formulation and the Newton-Raphson solution strategy for solving a particular problem of laminar flow over a backward facing step. A 7-node triangle with 14 df is employed to obtain velocity and pressure profiles at different Reynolds numbers. The paper thus begins with a description of the penalty formulation, elements employed and the Newton-Raphson method, followed by a detailed presentation of velocity and pressure values at R_e = 50, 150 for two step heights.