The simulation of potential flow around multiple bodies using overlapping connected meshes

摘要

By the nature of structured meshes and finite-difference techniques, it is usually difficult to extend a computer code which has been developed to simulate the flow over a single body to include additional bodies. Here, a new approach is presented which enables a computer code written to simulate the flow around a single body to be enhanced to include other bodies with the minimal number of changes. The approach followed assumes that the finite-difference method utilizes a global structured mesh for one body. Subsequent bodies are included in the field by the use of local meshes which overlap the global mesh. The mesh in the overlap region is constructed by a triangulation of the enclosed mesh points, although within this region many of the points from the global meshes are not utilized. The finite-difference solution routine for the flow equation in the global mesh is complemented by a finite-element approach in the overlap region. The transfer of flow information is achieved by ensuring a suitable overlap between structured and unstructured meshes. The approach is demonstrated by obtaining the solution of the potential flow over a multicomponent airfoil.