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Laminar Flow over a Flat Plate (Multi-block)

 

This is similar to the Laminar Flow over a Flat Plate problem, except that two overset blocks are used to solve the problem.

 

Computational Procedure

 

Two grid blocks are used to solve the flat plate problem. The blocks overlap vertically (the lower block contains the flat plate while the higher block mainly contains fluid flowing in the free stream.) The lower block contains 150 x 40 x 3 grid points while the upper block contains 120 x 50 x 3 grid points.

 

The computational mesh for the lower grid is set up with graded elements close to the wall in the normal direction. In addition, the mesh is also graded slightly in the streamwise direction favoring more grid points close to the inlet. The computational mesh is shown in Figure P5.1(a). The initial conditions for both grids are as follows:

 

 

Obtain the Files

 

Both mesh files and project input files can be accessed below. Remember to place the grid files in a subfolder with the set up file /flateplatem.

Setup file (flatplatem.afl)

Grid file (mesh0.plot3D, mesh1.plot3D or mesh0.AEROFLO, mesh1.AEROFLO).

 

Start the Simulation

 

Change the directory to the subfolder with the set up file. Start the simulation by

 

mpirun –np 2 mpiaeroflo.exe< flateplatem.afl

 

 

 

Results

 

Figure P5.1(b) shows the u-velocity at x = 1.7 compared with the single block calculations.

 

(a)                                                                                (b)

Figure P5.1 Close-up of the computational mesh showing the two blocks

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

White, F. M., “Viscous Fluid Flow”, 2^nd Ed., McGraw-Hill, 1991. pp 233-237