Validation study of vortex methods (Q1095741)

Convergence of the vortex method applied to viscous, incompressible flow is demonstrated. We compute the solution of flow over a backwards-facing step for Reynolds number 50, 125, 250, 375, 500, 5000, and study the effect of the choice of numerical parameters on the accuracy of the computed solution. Within the laminar regime, we demonstrate convergence of the computed means to a time-independent solution as the numerical parameters are refined, decay of variance around the computed mean inversely proportional to the number of vortex elements, and accurate comparison of size and length of recirculation zones with experimental measurements as a function of Reynolds number. At higher Reynolds number, we show detailed and robust calculations of eddy shedding and pairing, and qualitative numerical convergence in such flow variables as eddy size and average velocity profiles.